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Leucostele undulosa

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Leucostele undulosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Leucostele
Species:
L. undulosa
Binomial name
Leucostele undulosa
(Albesiano) Schlumpb.
Synonyms
  • Trichocereus undulosus Albesiano 2012

Leucostele undulosa is a species of Leucostele found in Chile.[1]

Description

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Leucostele undulosa has a columnar growth habit, achieving a height of up to 2.5 meters (8 ft 2 in) and a trunk diameter of 11 centimeters (4.3 in). Its dark green branches, measuring 15 centimeters in diameter, feature stems with 20 ribs and obovate gray areoles, each 2 mm (0.079 in) high and 8 mm (0.31 in) in diameter. Within these areoles, 3-4 central spines, measuring 4 cm (1.6 in) in length, exhibit a white hue with brown markings, accompanied by 12 radial spines measuring 1 cm (0.39 in) in length, displaying a spectrum from dark green to white with brown spots.

This plant produces 3–10 subapical white flowers, measuring 13 cm (5.1 in) in length and 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter. The green fruits, 3 cm (1.2 in) in diameter and 2.5 cm (0.98 in) long, feature abundant axillary gray hairs. Notably, Leucostele undulosa is similar to Leucostele skottsbergii but stands out with its darker green branches, more ribs, a thicker and different color spines.[2]

Distribution

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Indigenous to Coquimbo, Chile, this species is found at altitudes of 400 meters (1,300 ft), specifically in low scrub areas and on rocks alongside Puya species.[2]

Taxonomy

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The nomenclature of this species is based on the undulating shape of its ribs, producing a tuberculate appearance.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Leucostele undulosa (Albesiano) Schlumpb". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  2. ^ a b c Albesiano, Sofía (2012). "A New Taxonomic Treatment of the Genus Trichocereus (Cactaceae) in Chile". Haseltonia. 18: 116–139. doi:10.2985/026.018.0114. ISSN 1070-0048.
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