Neoraimondia
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Neoraimondia | |
|---|---|
| File:Neoraimondia arequipensis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Neoraimondia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Giant Peruvian cacti famous for their unique, continuously growing felted areoles. |
Etymology
Named in honor of Antonio Raimondi, a prominent Italian-born Peruvian geographer and naturalist.
Description
Neoraimondia consists of massive, tree-like columnar cacti that can reach up to 15 meters in height.
- Stems: Very thick, often branching from the base, with few (usually 4 to 8) massive ribs.
- Areoles: Their most distinctive feature. The areoles are huge, felt-like, and grow continuously over the years, becoming spur-like branches (brachyblasts) that can reach several centimeters in length.
- Flowers: Diurnal or crepuscular, funnel-shaped, pinkish or brownish-white. They emerge from the same areoles year after year.
- Fruits: Globose, reddish-purple, covered with small tufts of wool and spines. They are edible and have a pleasant taste.
Distribution
- Peru: Primarily in the coastal deserts and western slopes of the Andes.
Species List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015):
- Neoraimondia arequipensis (Type species)
- Neoraimondia herzogiana
Taxonomy
Joël Lodé maintains Neoraimondia in the subtribe Trichocereinae. While some authors separate N. herzogiana into the genus Neocardenasia, molecular and morphological data support keeping them together due to their unique areole development.
