Espostoa
Encyclopedia
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.
These candle-like cacti are covered with thorns and white hair. Only the older specimens can divide.
In adulthood, a cephalium
sometimes appears, similar to the Mexican genus Cephalocereus
.
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, but the temperature must not drop below 12 ° C.
Sometimes called "old Peruvian man", it is the most common species. Arborescent type tree up to 5 m high in the wild and 1 m in culture.
Trunk diameter 5 to 12 cm in diameter, with 20 to 25 ribs flattened obscured by tissue woolly.
The white cover is due to long fuses back. The central sharp goads sometimes cross the wool up to 2 inches long.
Older plants have a cephalium
on the side from which appear white flowers at night.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of columnar cacti
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
, comprising 16 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
known from the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
of southern Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
and Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
. 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.
These candle-like cacti are covered with thorns and white hair. Only the older specimens can divide.
In adulthood, a cephalium
Cephalium
Cephalium is a, frequently brightly coloured, structure of wool and bristle at the growing tip of certain cacti. It is most commonly found on cacti of the genus Melocactus and can take a number of colours, forms and shapes....
sometimes appears, similar to the Mexican genus Cephalocereus
Cephalocereus
Cephalocereus is a genus of slow-growing, columnar-shaped, blue-green cacti. The genus is native to Mexico. For more information see Old-Man Cactus.-Synonymy:*Haseltonia Backeb.*Neodawsonia Backeb.*Pilocereus Lem.- Species :...
.
They were discovered by Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt...
and Aimé Bonpland
Aimé Bonpland
Aimé Jacques Alexandre Bonpland was a French explorer and botanist.Bonpland's real name was Goujaud, and he was born in La Rochelle, a coastal city in France. After serving as a surgeon in the French army, and studying under J. N...
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, but the temperature must not drop below 12 ° C.
Species list
- Espostoa lanata BrittonNathaniel Lord BrittonNathaniel Lord Britton was an American botanist and taxonomist who founded the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York. Britton was born in New Dorp in Staten Island, New York...
& RoseJoseph Nelson RoseJoseph Nelson Rose was an American botanist. He was born in Union County, Indiana. His father died serving during the Civil War when Joseph Rose was a young boy. He later graduated from high school in Liberty, Indiana....
Sometimes called "old Peruvian man", it is the most common species. Arborescent type tree up to 5 m high in the wild and 1 m in culture.
Trunk diameter 5 to 12 cm in diameter, with 20 to 25 ribs flattened obscured by tissue woolly.
The white cover is due to long fuses back. The central sharp goads sometimes cross the wool up to 2 inches long.
Older plants have a cephalium
Cephalium
Cephalium is a, frequently brightly coloured, structure of wool and bristle at the growing tip of certain cacti. It is most commonly found on cacti of the genus Melocactus and can take a number of colours, forms and shapes....
on the side from which appear white flowers at night.
- Espostoa baumannii
- Espostoa blossfeldiorum
- Espostoa calva
- Espostoa frutescens
- Espostoa guentheriEspostoa guentheriEspostoa guentheri is a species of cactus.-External links:*...
- Espostoa huanucoensis
- Espostoa hylaea
- Espostoa lanianuligera
- Espostoa melanosteleEspostoa melanosteleEspostoa melanostele is a species of plant in the Cactaceae family....
- Espostoa mirabilis
- Espostoa nana F.Ritter
- Espostoa ritteri
- Espostoa ruficeps
- Espostoa senilis
- Espostoa superba
Synonymy
The following genera or species have been included in this genus:- Pilocereus dautwitzii
- Binghamia BrittonNathaniel Lord BrittonNathaniel Lord Britton was an American botanist and taxonomist who founded the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx, New York. Britton was born in New Dorp in Staten Island, New York...
& RoseJoseph Nelson RoseJoseph Nelson Rose was an American botanist. He was born in Union County, Indiana. His father died serving during the Civil War when Joseph Rose was a young boy. He later graduated from high school in Liberty, Indiana.... - Pseudoespostoa Backeb.
- Thrixanthocereus Backeb.
- Vatricania Backeb.