Chamaecereus silvestrii

Chamaecereus silvestrii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Chamaecereus
Species:
C. silvestrii
Binomial name
Chamaecereus silvestrii
(Speg.) Britton & Rose[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cereus silvestrii Speg.
  • Echinopsis chamaecereus H.Friedrich & Glaetzle
  • Lobivia silvestrii (Speg.) G.D.Rowley

Chamaecereus silvestrii is a species of cactus from northwestern Argentina and Bolivia. Synonyms include Echinopsis chamaecereus and Lobivia silvestrii.[1] It has been called the peanut cactus.[2] This plant should not be confused with Echinopsis silvestrii, a synonym of Echinopsis albispinosa, a species with a very different appearance.

Chamaecereus silvestrii has long stems about 1 cm (0.4 in) across. Orange flowers up to 4 cm (1.6 in) wide appear in late spring. In cultivation, Ch. silvestrii is hardy to temperatures as low as −7 °C (19 °F) if kept dry.[2]

Ch. silvestrii was first collected and described in 1896 as Cereus silvestrii by Italian-Argentinian botanist Carlo Luigi Spegazzini in the mountains between the provinces of Tucuman and Salta, Argentina.[3] However, subsequent expeditions to the area failed to find the species Spegazzini had collected and it is unknown whether the species has gone extinct since the initial collection.[4]

This plant is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

  • Talcott Greenhouse
    Talcott Greenhouse
  • Flowers
    Flowers

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chamaecereus silvestrii (Speg.) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2023-09-28.
  2. ^ a b Anderson, Miles (1999), Cacti and Succulents : Illustrated Encyclopedia, Oxford: Sebastian Kelly, ISBN 978-1-84081-253-4, p. 67
  3. ^ Spegazzini, Carlo (1905). Cactacearum Plantensium Tentamen. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Juan A. Alsina. p. 51.
  4. ^ Lambert, Jacques G. (1992). Cactus d'Argentine. Concordia-Roeselare. p. 32.
  5. ^ "Echinopsis chamaecereus". www.rhs.org. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  • Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Pentland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 262. ISBN 978-0-88192-498-5.