Eulychnia
| Eulychnia | |
|---|---|
| File:Eulychnia acida.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Phyllocacteae |
| SubTribe | Corryocactinae |
| Genus | Eulychnia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé includes Philippicereus within Eulychnia and places the genus in Corryocactinae. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Greek, meaning "absolutely beautiful candelabra," referring to the typical growth habit of the genus[cite: 1028].
Description
Eulychnia consists of shrubby to tree-like plants with a slow growth rate, often featuring a well-defined trunk[cite: 1028].
- Stems: Erect, ascending, or prostrate, featuring 9–16 ribs[cite: 1028].
- Areoles and Spines: Large areoles are often woolly or hairy, bearing sturdy, flexible, and usually long spines[cite: 1028].
- Flowers: Diurnal but often remaining open at night to attract diverse pollinators[cite: 1028]. They are bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, white, with a very short floral tube covered in bristles, hair, or wool[cite: 1028].
- Fruits: Globose to turbiniform, fleshy, and typically hairy or densely woolly, containing white, juicy, acid pulp[cite: 1028].
- Seeds: Grey or black, matt, and rough to warty[cite: 1028]. Dispersal is often aided by chinchillas[cite: 1028].
Habitat
Eulychnia species are endemic to the extremely arid coastal regions of the Atacama Desert in Chile. They rely heavily on coastal fog (camanchaca) for moisture and grow from sea level up to approximately 1200 m altitude.
Distribution
- Chile: Antofagasta, Arica, Atacama, Coquimbo, Tarapacá.
- Peru: Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna.
Species
Following Lodé (2015), 8 species are recognized, though he notes high variability within the genus:
- Eulychnia acida
- Eulychnia breviflora
- Eulychnia castanea (formerly Philippicereus)
- Eulychnia chorosensis
- Eulychnia iquiquensis
- Eulychnia ritteri
- Eulychnia saint-pieana
- Eulychnia taltalensis (doubtful taxon)
Taxonomy Note
Formerly placed in Notocacteae, molecular studies (Nyffeler, 2002) have confirmed that Eulychnia, together with Austrocactus and Corryocactus, represents a basal lineage now placed in the subtribe Corryocactinae[cite: 1028].
