Corryocactus

Corryocactus
File:Corryocactus brevistylus.jpg
Kingdom	Plantae
Family	Cactaceae
Subfamily	Cactoideae
Tribe	Phyllocacteae
SubTribe	Corryocactinae
Genus	Corryocactus
Species
Notes	Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015).

Etymology

The genus was named in honor of **Thomas Avery Corry** (1862–1942), an engineer for the Southern Railway of Peru (Ferrocarril del Sur). He assisted Britton and Rose during their explorations, leading to the discovery of several species along the railway routes.

Description

Corryocactus consists of shrubby to treelike cacti with columnar stems that typically branch from the base. They can be erect or procumbent and are known for being heavily armed with spines; in some species like C. brevistylus, the spines can reach up to 24 cm in length.

The flowers are diurnal, self-sterile, and shaped like wide funnels or bells. They appear in a variety of colors: yellow, orange, pink, salmon, and deep red. Pollination is performed by insects (bees and flies) as well as hummingbirds. The fruits are globose, juicy berries covered in deciduous spines that fall off when the fruit is ripe. The pulp is acidic and edible. Seeds are dispersed by bats and, uniquely for some species, by the North Andean deer (Hippocamelus antisensis).

Habitat

Found throughout the Andes on steep slopes, foothills, and occasionally near the Pacific coast. They grow in dry, rocky, or sandy environments from near sea level (50 m) up to high altitudes of 3800 m. Some species, like C. pulquinensis, rely on surrounding vegetation for structural support to remain upright.

Distribution

• Bolivia: Cochabamba, La Paz, Potosí, Santa Cruz, Tarija.
• Chile: Northern regions (Arica, Tarapacá).
• Peru: Wide distribution across many departments including Cusco, Lima, and Arequipa.

Species

Joël Lodé recognizes 18 possible species, including the former genus Erdisia:

• Corryocactus apiciflorus
• Corryocactus aureus
• Corryocactus ayacuchoensis
• Corryocactus ayopayanus
• Corryocactus brachypetalus
• Corryocactus brevistylus
• Corryocactus chachapoyensis
• Corryocactus charazanensis
• Corryocactus erectus
• Corryocactus erici-marae
• Corryocactus huincoensis
• Corryocactus melanotrichus
• Corryocactus prostratus
• Corryocactus pulquinensis
• Corryocactus quadrangularis
• Corryocactus serpens
• Corryocactus squarrosus
• Corryocactus tarijensis

Notes

• Systematics: Once part of the polyphyletic Notocacteae, DNA studies by Nyffeler (2002) placed Corryocactus as a basal branch of the Phyllocacteae-Corryocactinae clade along with Austrocactus and Eulychnia.
• Taxonomic Confusion: Lodé clarifies a common error in literature between C. puquiensis (a synonym of C. brevistylus from Peru) and C. pulquinensis (from Bolivia).
• Erdisia: The genus Erdisia is no longer considered distinct and is fully integrated into Corryocactus.