Matucana
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Matucana | |
|---|---|
| File:Matucana madisoniorum.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Matucana |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A genus of Andean cacti known for their spectacular, hummingbird-pollinated flowers. |
Etymology
Named after the town of Matucana, located east of Lima, Peru, near which the first species were discovered.
Description
Matucana consists of globose to shortly cylindrical cacti, often solitary but sometimes clustering with age.
- Stems: Typically small, reaching 10-15 cm in diameter. Some species are completely globose, while others become slightly columnar.
- Ribs: Usually low and often divided into distinct tubercles.
- Spines: Extremely variable. Some species like M. madisoniorum can be nearly spineless, while others like M. haynei are covered in a dense "nest" of spines.
- Flowers: Their most distinctive feature. They are diurnal, long-tubular, and emerge from the apex. They are often zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical) and come in brilliant shades of red, orange, pink, or yellow.
- Fruits: Globose, small, and fleshy, splitting open when ripe.
- Seeds: Black, matt, or shiny, with a characteristic cap-like structure (hilum).
Habitat
Endemic to the Peruvian Andes, growing at high altitudes (from 2000 m up to 4000 m). They prefer rocky slopes and steep canyons where drainage is perfect.
Distribution
- Peru: Widely distributed along the Marañón River basin and adjacent Andean valleys.
Species and Subspecies List
Following Lodé (2015), the genus includes 19 recognized species:
- Matucana aurantiaca
- Matucana aureiflora
- Matucana formosa
- Matucana fruticosa
- Matucana haynei
- Matucana huagalensis
- Matucana intertexta
- Matucana krahnii
- Matucana madisoniorum
- Matucana myriacantha
- Matucana oreodoxa
- Matucana paucicostata
- Matucana polzii
- Matucana pujupatii
- Matucana ritteri
- Matucana roseoalba
- Matucana tuberculata
- Matucana weberbaueri
Taxonomy
Lodé (2015) maintains Matucana as a distinct genus within the subtribe Trichocereinae. While some earlier authors tried to merge them with Borzicactus or Submatucana, molecular studies confirm their status as a unique Andean lineage.
