Oroya
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Oroya | |
|---|---|
| File:Oroya peruviana.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Trichocereeae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Oroya |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). High-altitude Andean cacti from Peru, known for their unique pectinate spines. |
Etymology
Named after the Peruvian town of La Oroya, located in the Andes, where the plants were first discovered.
Description
Oroya consists of solitary or slowly offsetting, flattened globose to shortly cylindrical cacti.
- Stems: Dark green to bluish-grey, usually depressed at the apex.
- Ribs: Numerous and divided into prominent tubercles.
- Spines: One of their most distinctive features—the spines are typically pectinate (comb-like), meaning they are arranged in two rows on either side of the elongated areole, often in shades of yellow, gold, or brownish-red.
- Flowers: Small but numerous, appearing in a circle near the apex. They are funnel-shaped and usually bicolor (yellow centers with red or pink tips).
- Fruits: Small, globose, and fleshy.
Distribution
- Peru: Endemic to the high Andes (3000–4200m), specifically in the regions of Junín and Cusco.
Species and Subspecies List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015):
