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The Forbidden Fruit |
TRICHOCEREUS Columnar plants, more or less branched; ribs few to numerous, either low or prominent, usually very spiny; Flowers nocturnal, large, funnel form, the perianth either persistent or separating from the fruit by abscission; perianth-segments elongated; stamens numerous. filiform, arranged in two groups; stigma-lobes numerous; ovary and flower-tube bearing numerous scales, their axils bearing long hairs; fruit without bristles or spine, dull colored. This genus consists of 19 species, confined to South America. The name s from the Greek and signifies thread-cereus, referring to the hairy flower-areoles, Key to identifying the Trichocereus. Stems procumbent or sometimes with erect branches, elongated, 4 to 10 dm, long, dark green, cylindrical ,4 to 7.5 cm, in diameter; ribs 12 or 13, broad and obtuse, divided into prominent. more or less distinctly 6 sided tubercles; areoles circular, felted; spines at first brown, some turning gray, others black; radial spines 6 to 8, acicular, somewhat spreading, 1 to 2 cm. long ; central spine solitary-, porrect, 2 to 4 cm. Long ;flowers white, about 20 cm. long, funnel form; outer perianth-segments greenish; axils of scales on flower-tube long-woolly; fruit about 5cm. long, hairy, red ,splitting on one side; seed black. 2. Trichocereus thelegonoides (Spegazzini). More or less branched above; trunk 4 to 6 meters high, cylindrical, 18 cm. in diameter; branches more or less curved, ascending, 5 to 8 cm. in diameter, obtuse at apex; ribs 15, low, obtuse, at first strongly tubercled by a strong depression between the areoles, but gradually disappearing in age; areoles small, circular, felted ;spines 8 to 10, yellow or brownish, setaceous short, 4 to 8 mm. long; flowers 20 to 24 cm. Long ,greenish without; inner perianth-segments oblanceolate acute, white; scales on the ovary and flower-tube hairy in their axils. 3.Trichocereus spachianus (Lemaire) Stem upright, at first simple, later profusely branching at the base; branches ascending parallel with the main stem. (6 to 9 dm. high by 5 to 6 cm. in diameter, columnar; ribs 10 to 15, obtuse, rounded; areoles about 1 cm. apart, large, covered with curly yellow wool, becoming white; radial spines 8 to 10, 6 mm. to 1 cm. long, spreading, stiff, sharp, amber-yellow to brown ;central solitary, stronger and longer than the radials; all the spines later becoming gray; flowers about 20 cm. long by about 15 cm. in diameter, white. 4. Trichocereus lamprochlonus (Lemaire).Columnar, simple or branching at base, 1.5 to 2 meters high, 7 to 8 cm. in diameter; ribs 10 to 17, low and rounded; radial spines 11 to 14, acicular to subulate, 8 to 10 mm. long; central spines 4, 2 cm. long; Flowers funnel form, 20 to 24 cm. long; outer perianth-segments red; inner perianth-segments white, 2.5cm. long, acuminate 5. Trichocereus pasacana (Weber). Plant often 6 to 10 meters high, sometimes less than 1 meter, usually either simple or with few branches and resembling a small Carnegiea gigantea ,sometimes with a number of branches from the base, more or less club-shaped, 3 dm. in diameter near the top, when old spineless at base; ribs 20 to 38, low, 2cm high; areoles large, approximate, sometimes touching one another; spines numerous, rather variable on young plants; spines yellow, stiff, subulate, the longer ones 4 to 14 cm. long: on old plants, especially flowering ones, elongated, flexible, sometimes bristle-like, 10 to 12 cm. long, yellow or even white; flowers 10cm.long, the ovary and tube covered with long brown hairs; fruit globular, about 3 cm. in diameter ;seeds small,dull black. This species is very characteristic of the high plains on northern Argentina and Bolivia, sometimes growing in valleys, but usually along cliffs and on rocky hillsides, and often forms the most conspicuous plant in the landscape. The woody trunks are used for making goat corrals and rude huts. The fruit, which is said to b~ edible, is called pasacana. 6. Trichocereus bridgesii (Salm-Dyck). Tall, 2 to 5 meters high, more or less branching, pale green, a little glaucous; branches 1 to 1.5 dm. in diameter, 4 to 8 ribbed: ribs obtuse, separated by broad but shallow intervals; areoles large, about 2 cm.apart; spines 2 to 6, yellowish, acicular to subulate, very unequal, sometimes 10 cm. long, not swollen at base; flowers large, 18 cm long; Flower tube 5 to 6 cm, long; throat broad; inner perianth segments oblong, perhaps white, 5 to 6 cm, long; scales on ovary and flower-tube small, sometimes only 3 to 4 mm long, scattered, bearing numerous hairs in their axils; fruit scaly, long-hairy, 5 to 6 cm. long.
Plants tall, 3 to 6 meters high, with numerous strict branches, slightly glaucous when young, dark green in age; ribs 6 to 8, broad at base, obtuse, with a deep horizontal depression above the areole; spines often wanting, when present few, 3 to 7, unequal, the longest 1 to 2 cm. long, dark yellow to brown; flower-buds pointed; Flowers very large, 19 to 23 cm. Long, borne near the top of branches, night-blooming, very fragrant; outer perianth-segments brownish red; inner perianth-segments oblong, white; filaments long, weak, greenish; style greenish below, white above; stigma-lobes linear, yellowish; ovary covered with black curled hairs; axils of scales on flower-tube and fruit bearing long black hairs. 8 Trichocereus macrogonus (Salm-Dyck)Stem probably tall, stout, but in cultivation often slender, bluish green, especially on young growth; ribs usually 7, low and rounded, 1.5 cm. high, separated by acute intervals; areoles large, 1.5 to 2 cm. apart; spines several from an areole, acicular, brown; radial spines 5 to 8 mm. long; central spine about 2cm. long; flowers probably large and white; fruit unknown. 9. Trichocereus cuzcoensisPlants tall, 5 to 6 meters high, much branched, the branches somewhat spreading, light green when young; ribs 7 or 8, low and rounded; areoles rather close together, 1 to l.5 cm. apart; spines numerous, often 12, very stout, rigid, sometimes 7 cm.long, swollen at base; Flowers 12 to 14 cm. long, doubtless nocturnal but, sometimes at least, remaining open during the morning, fragrant: Flower-tube green, 5 to 6 cm. long; inner perianth-segments oblong, white, 4 to 5 cm· long; filaments weak, declining on the ]ower side of the throat; scales on the ovary and flower-tube small, bearing a few long hairs in their axils
Plant 2 to 4 meters high with numerous erect or ascending, stout branches, 15 to 20 cm. In diameter, glaucous when young; ribs 6 to 8, broad and rounded; areoles large, 2 to 2.5 cm· apart, brown felted; spines brown from the first, about 10, unequal, some of them 4 cm. long, rigid and stout, not at all swollen at base; areoles on ovary and flower-tube hairy; mature Flowers not seen but evidently large and probably white. This species resembles ~. bridgesii but has stouter and darker spines. It is found western slopes off the Andes at a much lower altitude than that species. 11. Trichocereus chiloensisStems rarely single, usually of several branches, sometimes of many, arising from near the base, starting nearly at right angles to the main trunk but soon erect, the tallest sometimes 8 meters high; ribs usually 16 or 17, low and broad, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercles even when fully mature; radial spines when young light yellow with brown tips but soon becoming gray, 8 to 12, slightly spreading, often stout, 1 to 2 or even 4 cm. long; central spine single, porrect, often stout, 4 to 7 or even 12 cm. long; Flowers 14 cm. long, outer perianth-segments white but tinged with red or brown; inner perianth-segments white, acuminate; style green below, cream-colored above; stigma-lobes cream-colored, about 18, 1.5 cm. long; fruit globular. 12. Trichocereus coquimbanus
(Molina). Plant low, 1 meter high or more, or sometimes prostrate and forming
dense thickets; branches 7 to 8 cm. in diameter, with 12 or 13 ribs;
areoles large, circular, filled with short wool; spines about 20. Very
formidable, often 7 to 8 cm. long; central spines several, 2 to 6 cm,
long; flowers large, white, about 10 cm long: inner perianth-segments
acute; scales of ovary and tube subtending black
hairs, 13· Trichocereus terscheckii
(Parmentier). At first columnar, in age becoming much branched, 10 to 12 meters high;
trunk woody, up to 4·5 cm. in diameter; branches 1 to 2 dm. in diameter;
ribs 8 to 14, prominent, 2 to 4 cm. high, obtuse; areoles large, 1 to 1.5
cm. in diameter, felted, 2 to 3 cm· apart; spines 8 to 15, subulate,
yellow, up to 8 cm. long; flowers very large, 15 to 20 cm. long, 12.5 cm.
broad; inner perianth-segments oblong, 7 cm. long, acute, white ;scales on
the ovary and Flower-tube ovate, mucronate-tipped, their axils filled with
long brown wool. This is a very large cactus, called in Argentina cardon grande. It has
frequently been confused with another species, T, pasacana, of the same
region, but it is more branched, with fewer ribs, different spines, and
large flowers.
14. Trichocereus fascicularis (Meyen). Growing in large clusters made up of many slender, erect or ascending branches, 2 to 4 meters high; ribs about 16, low, rounded, separated by narrow intervals; areoles filled with tawny felt, closely set, large; spines numerous, at hrst yellowish to brown; radial spines acicular, often only 1 cm. long or less; central spines much stouter and often 4 cm. long; flowers 1 from an areole, 8 to 11 cm. long, slender, somewhat curved near the base; ovary and Flower-tube bearing small ovate scales, their axils filled with long white and brown hairs; outer perianth-segments narrow, acute, passing into broader ones, simply mucronate, pinkish; Inner perianth segments thinner and a little broader than the outer ones, obtuse, 1.5 cm. long, greenish to brownish (not white) ; filaments numerous, slender, scattered over the narrow throat, somewhat exserted: style bulbose at base, slender, 7 cm. long, exserted; stigma-lobes short, greenish ;lower part of tube proper 1.5 cm. long, somewhat scabrous within; fruit Globular, 3 to 4 cm. in diameter, yellowish to reddish, splitting open on one side and exposing the pulp;seeds black, shining, 2 mm. long, a little longer than broad, minutely punctuate. 15, Trichocereus huascha (Weber)
, More or less cespitose, forming clumps 8 to 20 dm. broad; stems 8 to 16
dm. high, cylindrical, 4 to 5 cm in diameter; ribs 12 to 18, low, rounded;
areole approximate, often only 5 to 7 mm. apart; spines numerous,
acicular, unequal, the longest often 5 to 6 cm. long, yellowish to brown;
flowers very variable in color and size, red to yellow, 7 to 10 cm. long,
broadly funnel form ; scales on the ovary bearing long brown hairs. 16. Trichocereus candicans
(Gillies). Cespitose, forming large clumps often 1 to 3 meters in diameter: joints
erect or spreading, 6 dm. Long or less, 14 cm. in diameter or less,
rounded at apex; ribs 9 to 11, low, rounded or obtuse; areoles large,
white-felted when young, 2 to 3 cm. apart; spines subulate, brownish
yellow, more or less mottled; radial spines to or more, more or less
spreading, unequal, the longest 4 cm, long; central spines several, the
longest nearly 10 cm. long; Flowers very large, funnel form , very
fragrant, showy, 15 cm. long; scales on flower tube ovate, acuminate,
bearing long hairs in their axils; inner perianth-segments white, oblong;
fruit globose to ellipsoid, splitting on one side. 17. Trichocereus strigosus
(Salm-Dyck). Cespitose, forming clumps 2 to 10 dm. in diameter , the branches
usually simple, erect, or ascending, sometimes 6 dm. high, 5 to 6 cm. in
diameter, very spiny; ribs 15 to 18, very low, 4 to 5 mm. high, obtuse;
areoles circular, rather large, approximate, 4 to 8 mm. apart, densely
white-felted when young: spines numerous, very variable as to color and
length, either white, yellowish, or pinkish to nearly black, 1 to 5 cm
.long, acicular; Flowers white, large, 20 cm. long, funnel form, the
scales on the ovary and tube with long silky hairs in their axils; seeds
black, glossy, about 2 mm. long; hilum basal but
oblique. Cespitose, cylindrical, 3 to 5 dm. high, 10 to 12.5 cm. In diameter,
light green; ribs about 14, 10 to 15 mm. high: areoles approximate, 5 to 7
mm. apart, white-felted when young; spines about 10, acicular, 12 mm. long
or less, light yellow; Flowers from the top of plant, 15 to 18 cm. Long
;tube slender; outer perianth segments linear; inner segments probably
white; scales of the ovary and flower-tube bearing long brown
hairs. 19. Trichocereus schickendantzii
(Weber). Plants simple or cespitose, slender, 15 to 25 cm. high, 6 cm, in
diameter, dark green, shiny; ribs 14 to 18, low, 5 mm. high, somewhat
crenate; spines yellowish, flexible, 5 to 10 mm. long; radial spines at
first 9. in age more numerous; central spines 2 to 8; Flower-bud pointed,
covered with black wool ;Flowers funnel form , several from the top of the
plant, inodorous, 20 to 22 cm. long; scales on the ovary and flower-tube
with hairy axils; inner perianth-segments acute, oblong, white; fruit
edible, agreeable.
Definitions are provided by the New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.
Perianth: The protective outer whorl(s) of a flower.
Filiform: Having the form of a thread, threadlike
Tubercles: A small rounded projection or protuberance.
Porrect: Extended forwards and outwards
Oblanceolate:
Setaceous [1] Having the form or character of a bristle [2] Having or covered with setae or bristles.
Subulate Awl shaped - slender and tapering to a point.
Glaucous Of a dull greyish green or greyish blue.
To use this key make the most appropriate choice from the presented choices. At two points you will have to make a choice regarding the flowers. If you have yet to see flowers on your plant please keep following point. In mind The first choice is "limb of flower broad or narrow". By far Limb of flower broad is the most likely choice but if this leads to a choice. where. The entry doesn't seem to correspond to the observable characteristic of your specimen then check entries 14 and 15 The second choice requires form and color of flower. There is no most likely option. But this is used to distinguish between a small number of plants
1. Stems more or less branched , usually erect Or Stems usually simple, low, cespitose
Stems more or less branched , usually erect.
2 . Limbs of flower broad Or Limbs of flower narrow
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad
3. Joints relatively slender, 5 to 9 cm thick. Or Joints Stout.
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints relatively slender, 5 to 9 cm thick.
4. Ribs transversely sulcate between the aerole Or Ribs not transversely sulcate between the aerole
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints relatively slender, 5 to 9 cm thick. Ribs transversely sulcuate between the aerole 5. Tubercles prominent Or Tubercles not prominent
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints relatively slender, 5 to 9 cm thick. Ribs not transversely sulcuate between the aerole
6. Central spine solitary Or Central spines 4
Stems more or less branched ,usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout.
7. Ribs on old plants very numerous and spines bristle like. OrRibs 4 to 17 Or Ribs 16 to 17
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Ribs 4 to 17
8. Spines slender 1 to 7 cm long Or Spines very stout formidable.
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Spines slender, 1 to 7 cm long. Ribs 4 to 9.
9. Spines yellow, at least when young; ribs 4 to 8 10. Spines brown from the first; ribs 6 to 8
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Spines slender, 1 to 7 cm long. Ribs 4 to 9. Spines brown from the first; ribs 6 to 8
11. Plant dark green; spines few Or Plant light green spines several at each aerole
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Spines slender, 1 to 7 cm long. Ribs 4 to 9. Spines brown from the first; ribs 6 to 8 Plant light green; spines several at each aerole.
12. Spines acicular, 2.5cm long or less Or Spines subulate, up to 7 cm long.
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Spines slender, 1 to 7 cm long. Ribs 4 to 9. Spines brown from the first; ribs 6 to 8 Plant light green; spines several at each aerole. Spines subulate, up to 7 cm long.
13. Spines swollen at base, young growth green Or Spines not swollen at base; young growth very glacous
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower broad Joints Stout. Spines very stout.
15. Spines dark brown Or Spines yellow.
Stems more or less branched , usually erect. Limbs of flower narrow.
16. Ribs few, 9 to 11
Stems usually simple, low, cespitose
17. Flowers red or yellow, short more or less campanulate Or Flowers elongated, funnelform whiteStems usually simple, low, cespitose Flowers elongated, funnelform, white
18. Tube longer than the limbs Or Tube about the length of the limb.Stems usually simple, low, cespitose Flowers elongated, funnelform, white Tube longer than the limbs Ribs 12 to 18
19. Stem slender, elongated Or Stem stout, short.
Version:1 The information presented in this document is mainly from The Cactaceae. Some entries are difficult to read but this is the way they are in the book. I have included a glossary to help understand some of the entries. The key to identification presented the Cactaceae has been changed into a more intuitive format but the information has not been changed. This document was created by Ramon Rodrigo. It can be freely distributed without modification but not sold for profit (unless you cut me in on the profit ) I have plans of further updating this document as Baker and Rose have not included Trichocereus scoplocolis in their list or key to identification but shall canvass a range of people as to where and how it should be inserted and identified. Comments and criticism welcomed at rrodrigo@eisa.net.au The Cactaceae N.L Britton and J.N.Rose Volume 2 Published 1937
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