Two New Combinations in the genus Eulychnia (Cactaceae)
2011; Volume: 83; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2985/0007-9367-83.4.169
ISSN1938-288X
Autores Tópico(s)Plant Diversity and Evolution
ResumoThe genus Eulychnia Philippi contains a small number of arborescent or shrubby cacti. Ritter (1980/81) accepted 9 species and a further 5 varieties although more recent authors, Hoffmann & Walter (2004) and Hunt (2006) have accepted a more conservative 4 species. With one notable exception, the genus is Chilean and is found over a range of 1500km from S18°40′ to S32°20′. The one exception is Eulychnia ritteri which grows in southern Peru at a single, disjunct locality, approximately 500 km north of the Chilean border (and nearest other Eulychnia populations), near the coastal town of Chala. The northern part of the Chilean range corresponds to the extremely arid Atacama Desert where Eulychnia is restricted to coastal localities. Rain is very infrequent and the plants survive on the coastal fogs, known locally as ‘camanchaca’. At the southern end of the range, regular winter rain fall allows the plants to grow away from the coast and into the low foothills of the Andes. Eulychnia is a poorly studied genus both in habitat and in cultivation. This is somewhat surprising on account of their very visible presence within many cactus habitats where large stands of the plants can dominate hillsides. However cactus explorers, with the exception of Ritter, have paid them scant attention. In cultivation they are occasionally found as small seed raised plants. They have a reputation of slow growth and rarely reach a size where flowers can be expected. The authors have made several trips to Eulychnia habitats and observed all the species in habitat. It became apparent that two populations did not fit comfortably within the four species concept as defined by Hunt. Both populations were described by Ritter as varieties and we believe they are better accepted as good species and we make the two new combinations required here.
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