Acanthocalycium ferrarii

Acanthocalycium ferrarii
File:Acanthocalycium ferrarii.jpg
Kingdom	Plantae
Family	Cactaceae
Subfamily	Cactoideae
Tribe	Cereeae
SubTribe	Trichocereinae
Genus	Acanthocalycium
Species	A. ferrarii
Notes	Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015).

Etymology

The species name ferrarii honors an individual named Ferrari.

Description

Acanthocalycium ferrarii is a small to medium-sized cactus characterized by variable spination and colorful flowers.

• Habit: Usually solitary; occasionally forming small groups.
• Roots: Fibrous.
• Stems: Globose to short cylindrical; green to grey-green.
• Ribs: 10–20, well defined, slightly tuberculate.
• Areoles: Rounded, with short wool when young.
• Spines: Numerous, straight; variable in length and color.
• Flowers: Diurnal, subapical; funnel-shaped; pink to violet or reddish.
• Floral tube: Covered with spiny scales.
• Pollination: By insects (mainly bees).
• Fruits: Spherical, hard; dehiscent at maturity.
• Seeds: Dark brown to black, papillose.

Habitat

• rocky slopes
• dry valleys
• shrub vegetation

Altitude range: approximately 500–3000 m.

Distribution

Argentina:

• Catamarca
• La Rioja

Taxonomy

• Described by Rausch (1976)
• Accepted species in Lodé (2015)
• Shows variability within the genus

Synonyms

According to Joël Lodé (2015):

• Acanthocalycium variiflorum — nom. inval.

Notes

• Notable variability in flower coloration.
• Adapted to arid highland environments.