Espostoa

Espostoa
	Espostoa lanata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Tribe:	Cereeae
Subtribe:	Trichocereinae
Genus:	Espostoa; Britton & Rose
Type species
	Espostoa lanata;
Species
	See text.
Synonyms
	Backeb. Britton & Rose, nom. illeg. ; Pseudoespostoa Binghamia; Backeb. Thrixanthocereus;

Short description: Species of plant

Espostoa is a genus of columnar cacti, comprising 16 species known from the Andes of southern Ecuador and Peru. It usually lives at an altitude of between 800m and 2500m. Its fruit is edible, sweet, and juicy. The genus is named after Nicolas E. Esposto, a renowned botanist from Lima.^[2]

Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana

Description

Plants that are columnar in shape and have many distinct lower ribs. These candle-like cacti are covered with spines and white hair. Only the older specimens can divide. In adulthood, a cephalium sometimes appears, similar to the Mexican genus Cephalocereus. These plants have robust areoles with spines. Their flowers open at night and have a short tube.^[3]

Taxonomy

They were discovered by Alexander von Humboldt and Aimé Bonpland in the early nineteenth century.

They are appreciated for their decorative qualities due to their white fleece. They can be propagated by seed. For full development they must be planted in the ground. The cultivated specimens very rarely flourish.

Like all cacti, Espostoa requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. But in summer, it appreciates fertilizer and wetter conditions. In winter, it needs a rest^{[clarification needed]}, but the temperature must not drop below 12 °C.

Species list

(As of October 2023), Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:^[1]

Image	Scientific name	Distribution
	Espostoa blossfeldiorum (Werderm.) Buxb.	Peru
	Espostoa calva F.Ritter	Peru (Amazonas)
	Espostoa cremnophila Hoxey	Peru
	Espostoa frutescens Madsen	Ecuador
	Espostoa hylaea F.Ritter	Peru (Amazonas)
	Espostoa lanata (Kunth) Britton & Rose	Ecuador, Peru
	Espostoa melanostele (Vaupel) Borg	Peru
	Espostoa mirabilis F.Ritter	Peru (Huanuco)
	Espostoa senilis (F.Ritter) N.P.Taylor	Peru (Ancash)
	Espostoa superba F.Ritter	Peru (Ancash)
	Espostoa utcubambensis G.J.Charles	Peru (Amazonas)

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Espostoa Britton & Rose" (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/295142-2.
↑ Yetman, David (2008-01-31). The Great Cacti. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-4637-4.
↑ "The Cactaceae". https://publicationsonline.carnegiescience.edu/publications_online/cactaceae/Britton_Rose_Cactaceae_2.pdf.

Bibliography

Innes C, Wall B (1995). Cacti' Succulents and Bromaliads. Cassell & The Royal Horticultural Society.
Edward F. Anderson : "The Cactus Family" (2001)

External links

(in English) photos onr www.cactiguide.com
(in English) Espostoa guentheri

Wikidata ☰ Q133254 entry

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Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espostoa. Read more

[POWO_295142-2-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 "Espostoa Britton & Rose" (in en). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/295142-2.

[Yetman_2008_p.-2] Yetman, David (2008-01-31). The Great Cacti. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-4637-4.

[The_Cactaceae-3] "The Cactaceae". https://publicationsonline.carnegiescience.edu/publications_online/cactaceae/Britton_Rose_Cactaceae_2.pdf.

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