Coleocephalocereus
Coleocephalocereus aureus
Coleocephalocereus is a genus of flowering plants of the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The botanical name of the genus is derived from the Greek words κολεός ( koleos ) for " vagina " and κεφαλή ( kephale ) for " head " and refers to the shape of the Cephaliums.
Description
The erect, semi-erect or creeping -growing species of the genus Coleocephalocereus are branched basally or unbranched and reach stature heights of up to 5 meters. The extended spherical to cylindrical or columnar shoots are green. In the 6 to 35 rounded ribs are located in close distance the areoles from which thin or thick, needle-like spines of different colors spring forth, which could reach a length of up to 45 centimeters. The coherent cephalium located on the side or the top and is more or less sunk into the engine. It is white wool and long with robust, multi-colored bristles.
The tube- to bell-shaped flowers are 2-8 inches long and open at night. The flower cup is narrow, the flower-tube length. Both are bald or have a few scales.
The berry-like, spherical to club-shaped fruits are glabrous, smooth and red to purple. They have a basal opening and up to 2.5 inches long. The spherical to pear- shaped seeds are black, warty and about 1 millimeter long.
Systematics and distribution
The species of the genus Coleocephalocereus are widespread in the Brazilian states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Bahia and Minas Gerais.
The first description of the genus was made in 1938 by Curt Backeberg. The type species of the genus Cereus fluminensis. The genus is divided into three subgenera with the following types:
- Subgenus Coleocephalocereus Coleocephalocereus buxbaumianus Coleocephalocereus buxbaumianus subsp. buxbaumianus
- Coleocephalocereus buxbaumianus subsp. flavisetus
- Coleocephalocereus fluminensis subsp. fluminensis
- Coleocephalocereus fluminensis subsp. decumbens
- Subgenus Buiningia ( Buxb. ) P.J.Braun Coleocephalocereus aureus
- Coleocephalocereus purpureus
- Subgenus simplex N.P.Taylor Coleocephalocereus goebelianus
A synonym of the genus is Buiningia Buxb.