Corryocactus melanotrichus
| Corryocactus melanotrichus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Corryocactus |
| Species: | C. melanotrichus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Corryocactus melanotrichus (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose 1920
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Corryocactus melanotrichus is a species of Corryocactus found in Bolivia.[2]
Description
This species is a highly branched shrubby cactus that can grow up to 4 meters tall with vertical stems that have a yellowish-green epidermis and measure up to 6 cm in diameter. The stems are characterized by 7 to 9 ribs bearing areoles. These areoles feature unequal, awl-shaped spines that are initially light yellow to brown, aging to gray. Spines range from 0.7 to 2 cm in length, with some occasionally reaching up to 3 cm. While central and radial spines are not distinct, the spines contribute to the cactus's appearance. Corryocactus melanotrichus produces slightly purple flowers that can be up to 5 cm long and 6 cm in diameter. Its fruits are spherical, soft, and spiny, reaching a diameter of up to 6 cm.[3]
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spines -
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Flower -
fruit
Distribution
Corryocactus melanotrichus is native to Bolivia, found in the departments of La Paz, Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Oruro, and Tarija. It thrives in desert or dry scrub biomes on slopes at elevations between 2100 and 3600 meters.
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Habitat in La Paz, Bolivia -
Habitat in La Paz, Bolivia -
Habitat in La Paz, Bolivia
Taxonomy
The species was first described as Cereus melanotrichus in 1895 by Karl Moritz Schumann. It was later transferred to the genus Corryocactus by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1920.[4] The specific epithet, melanotrichus, originates from the Greek words "melas" (black) and "thrix" (hair), referencing the black, felted areoles and black floral tube bristles.[5]
References
- ^ IUCN (2010-09-21). Corryocactus melanotrichus: Lowry, M.: The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T152262A121465776 (Report). doi:10.2305/iucn.uk.2017-3.rlts.t152262a121465776.en. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ "Corryocactus melanotrichus (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
- ^ Anderson, Edward F. (2011). Das große Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart: Ulmer. p. 146. ISBN 978-3-8001-5964-2.
- ^ Eggli, Urs; Newton, Leonard E. (2004-03-11). Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 151. ISBN 978-3-540-00489-9.
- ^ "Corryocactus". Dictionary of 🌵 Cactus Names. 2020-09-17. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
External links
Media related to Corryocactus melanotrichus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Corryocactus melanotrichus at Wikispecies