Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Azureocereus | image = Azureocereus_hertlingianus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Browningieae | genus = '''Azureocereus''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). }} == Etymology == The name Azureocereus means "Blue wax candle", which refers to the distinct glaucous, bluish color of the epidermis characteristic of this genus. == Description == '''Azureocereus''' is a genus of stu..."

2026-03-27T07:36:15Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Azureocereus | image = Azureocereus_hertlingianus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Browningieae | genus = '''Azureocereus''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). }} == Etymology == The name Azureocereus means "Blue wax candle", which refers to the distinct glaucous, bluish color of the epidermis characteristic of this genus. == Description == '''Azureocereus''' is a genus of stu..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Azureocereus
| image = Azureocereus_hertlingianus.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Browningieae]]
| genus = '''Azureocereus'''
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015).
}}

== Etymology ==
The name Azureocereus means "Blue wax candle", which refers to the distinct glaucous, bluish color of the epidermis characteristic of this genus.

== Description ==
'''Azureocereus''' is a genus of sturdy, erect columnar cacti that can reach heights of up to 10 meters. They are typically sparsely branched, with the first branches appearing at a height of about 1 meter. The stems have a striking bluish epidermis (though it is blue-green in ''A. viridis''). The ribs are tuberculate at the areoles, and the plants bear strong spines, which become more numerous in the flowering areas of the stem.

The flowers are nocturnal, tubular, and slightly curved. They are white, scaly, and emit a foul odor, which is a characteristic adaptation for pollination by bats. The floral tube is brown and covered with ciliate scales. When ripe, the fruits are dry. The seeds are shiny and black.

== Habitat ==
The genus is endemic to Peru, where it grows at altitudes between 1500 m and 2500 m. These cacti are found in full sun on sandy plains, rocky slopes, or valleys, sometimes forming part of woody shrub vegetation.

== Distribution ==
* Peru (Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cuzco)

== Species ==
According to the Joël Lodé index, the genus includes 3 recognized species:

* [[Azureocereus columnaris]]
* [[Azureocereus hertlingianus]]
* [[Azureocereus viridis]]

== Notes ==
* Although many modern classifications (Anderson 2001, Hunt 2006) include these species within the genus ''Browningia'', Joël Lodé maintains ''Azureocereus'' as a separate genus.
* Molecular studies (Ritz et al. 2007, Hernández-Hernández et al. 2011) suggest that ''Browningia'' s.l. is not monophyletic, showing that ''Browningia candelaris'' and ''Azureocereus hertlingianus'' do not group together.
* There is a possibility that ''A. viridis'' is a variant of ''A. hertlingianus'', but further molecular data at the species level is required to confirm this.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Browningieae]]

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