Acanthocalycium
| Acanthocalycium | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|250px]] | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Trichocereeae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Acanthocalycium |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy according to Joël Lodé (2015). |
Description
Acanthocalycium is a genus of cacti containing several species from Argentina. The name comes from the Greek akantha (meaning prickly) and kalyx (meaning buds), referring to the spines on the floral tubes.
These plants are generally globose to somewhat columnar, with many-ribbed stems. They are known for their beautiful flowers that range from white to pink, yellow, or red. They are popular in cultivation due to their hardiness and attractive spination.
Taxonomy
In the modern classification by Joël Lodé, Acanthocalycium is maintained as a distinct genus within the tribe Trichocereeae. While some other systems have merged it with Echinopsis, DNA studies supported by Lodé show it deserves generic status.
Species List (Lodé 1.19)
Following the alphabetical index and errata of Joël Lodé, the following species are recognized:
- Acanthocalycium ferrarii
- Acanthocalycium glaucum
- Acanthocalycium klimpelianum
- Acanthocalycium spiniflorum
- Acanthocalycium thionanthum
Cultivation
Most species are easy to grow and can tolerate lower temperatures if kept completely dry during the winter. They prefer well-draining mineral soil and bright light to develop strong spines.
