Espostoa Britton & Rose (1929)

named after Nicolas E. Esposto
Peruvian botanist on the Escuela Nacional de Agricultura in Lima

columnar cactus, dendriform to bushy, somewhat branched like candelabra, usually dense white hairy
hairs silky, like cobwebs around the plants, on the crown not soft and dense
on the sprout end is an cephalium with whiteish, yellowish or brownish hairs
spines short, thin, white, yellowish or red
flowers about 5 cm (2 in) long, whiteish, at nights, appears on the cephalium
fruits berry like, red, sparse hairy; seeds dull black

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Distribution

south America - Ekuador, Peru, Bolivia
steppes and mountains

Growth period

many warmness and full sun
only moderate watering, only at warm weather, moisture at cold weather is dangerous
not watering from above,therewith the hairs stay clean
occasionally spraying with water is to recommend in the evening
to hold the plants clean, is cultivating in a greenhouse recommendable
in midsummer keep the plant dry for a growth rest, main growth period is in spring time and fall

Winter period

absolutly dry at 10–14°C (50–57°F), as possible not under 10°C (50°F)

Substrat

minerally, nutrient-rich, loose and well-permeable for water
with addition of crushed bricks
   
Espostoa huanucensis F. Ritter (1981)
 
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Habitat

Peru
Huánuco

Description

named after origin
bushy, branching on the base, 2–3 m (6.5–9.8 ft) tall
shoots are spreading, green, 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in) Ø
17–25 ribs, 5–7 mm high
areoles with yellowish brown felt

30–40 spines, shiny golden-yellow, acicular, 0.5–1 cm (0.2–0.4 in) long
cephalium over 5–8 ribs, 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) long, with white 5–7 cm (2–2.8 in) long hairs
flowers white, 5.5–7 cm (2.1–2.8 in) long
fruits green or reddish brown, 2–3.5 cm (0.8–1.4 in) long
maybe only a varity of E. lanata

Synonyms

Espostoa lanata var. huanucoensis (F. Ritter) G. Charles (2002)

CITES

Appendix II
 
Description of "Kakteen von A bis Z" by Walter Haage with courtesy by Kakteen-Haage made available.

 

 

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