Rauhocereus
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Rauhocereus | |
|---|---|
| File:Rauhocereus riosaniensis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Rauhocereus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with molecular insights from Applequist & Wallace (2002), Nyffeler (2002), Arakaki (2008), and Hernández-Hernández et al. (2011). |
Etymology
Named in honour of Werner Rauh (1913–2000), German botanist and expert on Peruvian flora.
Description
Rauhocereus is a monotypic genus of shrubby columnar cacti forming clustered stems.
- Habit: Shrubby, branching from the base; forming groups of erect stems.
- Stems: Bluish-green, columnar.
- Ribs: 5–6, tuberculate.
- Tubercles: Distinctive, with faceted structure.
- Areoles: Woolly.
- Spines: Radial spines short, sometimes pectinate; 1–2 central spines longer and stronger.
- Flowers: Nocturnal, bell-shaped to rotate, white; appearing near stem apex.
- Floral tube: With small scales and brown, curly hairs.
- Pollination: By bats (e.g. Anoura spp., Glossophaga soricina).
- Fruits: Ovoid, fleshy; raspberry-red to purple; longitudinally dehiscent from the base.
- Pulp: Orange to scarlet.
- Seeds: Small, elongated, black, shiny, finely pitted and striate.
Habitat
Endemic to northern Peru:
- dry forests and dense shrub vegetation
- loamy soils
Altitude range: approximately 400–2500 m.
Distribution
Peru:
- Amazonas
- Cajamarca
- Lambayeque
Taxonomy
The genus is currently accepted and considered monophyletic.
Key points:
- Originally placed in Browningieae
- Nyffeler (2002): reassigned to Trichocereeae
- Applequist & Wallace (2002): supported revised placement
- Hernández-Hernández et al. (2011): confirmed monophyly
- Schlumpberger (2012): placed within the "Oreocereus clade"
Additional insights:
- Possible origin via hybridisation (Arakaki 2008)
- Closely related to Haageocereus, Matucana and Oreocereus
Species
Currently one recognized species with a doubtful subspecies:
Notes
- A geographically restricted genus with a narrow distribution.
- Subspecies delimitation is uncertain and based mainly on spine characters.
- Represents part of a larger Andean cactus lineage (Oreocereus group).
