Cleistocactus strausii
Cleistocactus strausii
Cleistocactus strausii, often called silver candle cactus, is a flowering plant in the genus Cleistocactus from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The epithet honors the nature of L. Straus (1862-1934), a German businessman and cacti lovers from Bruchsal and co-founder of the German Cactus Society. The German Cactus Society and the Society of Austrian cactus friends and the Swiss Cactus Society chose Cleistocactus strausii 2013 for " cactus of the Year".
Description
Cleistocactus strausii growing shrubby, branched from the base, with several upright, columnar stems and plant height reaches 1-3 meters. The bright green shoots reach a diameter of up to 8 centimeters and are completely hidden by the dense white spines. There are 25 to 30 ribs available. The areoles located on it are close together. The approximately four central spines are bright yellow and up to 2 inches long. The 30 to 40 white radial spines are hair -like to bristly and 1.5 to 5 inches long.
The tubular, dark wine-red flowers are almost straight from the shoots. They are 8-9 inches long. The flower tube is covered with very dense silky hairs. Bulb to the spherical red fruits reach a diameter of up to 2 centimeters.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Cleistocactus strausii is common in the Bolivian department of Tarija at altitudes from 1800 to 2600 meters. The first description as Pilocereus strausii in 1907 by Emil Heese. Curt Backeberg she put 1934 in the genus Cleistocactus.
In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, the type is known as " Least Concern ( LC) ," ie, than not led at risk.