Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Denmoza | image = Denmoza_rhodacantha.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cereeae | subtribe = Trichocereinae | genus = '''Denmoza''' | notes = Monotypic genus. Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). }} == Etymology == The name is an anagram of Mendoza, the province in Argentina where the genus was first discovered. == Description == '''Denmoza''' is a monotypic genus of cacti that are..."

2026-04-02T16:36:49Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Denmoza | image = Denmoza_rhodacantha.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cereeae | subtribe = Trichocereinae | genus = '''Denmoza''' | notes = Monotypic genus. Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). }} == Etymology == The name is an anagram of **Mendoza**, the province in Argentina where the genus was first discovered. == Description == '''Denmoza''' is a monotypic genus of cacti that are..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Denmoza
| image = Denmoza_rhodacantha.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Cereeae]]
| subtribe = [[Trichocereinae]]
| genus = '''Denmoza'''
| notes = Monotypic genus. Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015).
}}

== Etymology ==
The name is an anagram of **Mendoza**, the province in Argentina where the genus was first discovered.

== Description ==
'''Denmoza''' is a monotypic genus of cacti that are generally solitary, though they may rarely branch from the base. They begin as globose (spherical) plants and gradually become columnar with age, reaching up to 1.5 meters in height. They possess numerous ribs (up to 30) with closely set areoles.

The spines are highly polymorphic, changing significantly as the plant matures. Flowering areoles develop longer, more robust bristles and hairs. The flowers are diurnal, tubular, and slightly zygomorphic (asymmetrical), appearing near the apex in a brilliant scarlet red. While primarily pollinated by hummingbirds (such as ''Patagona gigas''), the ease with which pollen is released suggests possible wind pollination (**anemophily**). The fruits are globose and hairy, drying and cracking from the top when ripe.

== Habitat ==
Grows in full sun on rocky hills, stony slopes, and sandy soils in the eastern foothills of the Andes. The plants exhibit heliotropism, often leaning toward the sun. They can be found at a wide altitudinal range, from 600 m up to 3500 m.

== Distribution ==
* '''Argentina:''' Catamarca, La Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan, Tucumán.

== Species ==
Joël Lodé recognizes one primary species, noting that potential subspecies (like ''D. erythrocephala'') require further molecular study:

* [[Denmoza rhodacantha]]

== Notes ==
* '''Taxonomic Shifts:''' Over the years, ''Denmoza'' has been placed in many genera, including ''Cleistocactus'' and ''Echinopsis''. However, it is now accepted as a distinct genus.
* '''Hybridization:''' In habitat, ''Denmoza'' naturally hybridizes with ''Echinopsis'' (''Trichocereus'') ''pasacana'', resulting in fertile offspring known as **× Trichomoza**. This is a prime example of reticulate evolution in action.
* '''Phylogeny:''' Recent molecular analysis (Schlumpberger & Renner, 2012) confirms its basal position in a clade that also includes ''Setiechinopsis'' and ''Acanthocalycium''.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cereeae]]
[[Category:Trichocereinae]]

Denmoza - Revision history