Vatricania
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Vatricania | |
|---|---|
| File:Vatricania guentheri.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Vatricania |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with molecular insights from Nyffeler & Eggli (2010), Mauseth (1999), and Schlumpberger (2012). |
Etymology
Named in honour of Louis Vatrican (1904–2007), director of the Exotic Garden of Monaco and co-founder of the IOS (International Organization of Succulent Plants).
Description
Vatricania is a monotypic genus of columnar cacti with a distinctive lateral cephalium.
- Habit: Columnar, branching from the base; forming groups of erect stems.
- Stems: Up to ~5 m tall, ~10 cm in diameter.
- Ribs: Numerous (up to ~27), weakly tuberculate.
- Areoles: Very close, woolly.
- Spines: Relatively short (ca. 2–3 cm).
- Cephalium: Longitudinal, dense; composed of spines and red wool, becoming grey with age.
- Flowers: Nocturnal, remaining open into the morning; bell-shaped; white to yellowish or pink.
- Floral tube: Covered with numerous bristles and pinkish wool.
- Pollination: By bats.
- Fruits: Scaly, deeply embedded in the cephalium.
- Seeds: Ovoid, dark brown, shiny, slightly tuberculate and striate.
- Dispersal: Myrmecochorous (by ants).
Habitat
Endemic to Bolivia:
- rocky hills and valleys
- often forming dense populations ("cactus forests")
- associated with shrub vegetation
Altitude range: approximately 800–2000 m.
Distribution
Bolivia:
- Chuquisaca
- Cochabamba
- Santa Cruz
Taxonomy
The genus has undergone re-evaluation in modern classifications.
Key points:
- Previously included in Espostoa (Anderson 2001; Hunt et al. 2006)
- Nyffeler & Eggli (2010): restored as a separate genus
- Mauseth (1999): anatomical differences support separation
- Schlumpberger (2012): placed in a clade with Cleistocactus, Weberbauerocereus and allies
Additional insights:
- Shares superficial similarity with Espostoa, but is phylogenetically distinct
- Anatomical traits (e.g. hypodermis structure) differ significantly
The genus is therefore accepted as distinct.
Species
Monotypic genus:
Notes
- Often mistaken for Espostoa due to similar habit and cephalium.
- Represents a distinct lineage within Trichocereinae.
- Forms striking natural populations in Bolivia.
