Austrocactus is a genus of cacti with ten species endemic to Argentina and Chile.
They have solitary or branched bodies, and the ribs are usually divided into tubercules (except Austrocactus spiniflorus). The tallest species in this genus is 80 centimeters. Flowers are pink, orange, red, or yellow with a characteristic spiny tube.
Species , Plants of the World Online accepted the following species: +ImageScientific NameDistributionAustrocactus aonikenkensis E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Santa Cruz)Austrocactus bertinii (J.F.Cels) Britton & RoseS Chile to N Central and S ArgentinaAustrocactus coxii (K.Schum.) Backeb.S ArgentinaAustrocactus decorus E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Neuquén)Austrocactus diamantinus E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Mendoza)Austrocactus elegans BöhnertChile (Maule) to Argentina (Mendoza and Neuquén)Austrocactus ferrarii R.Kiesling, E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Mendoza)Austrocactus hibernus F.RitterC ChileAustrocactus implexus E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Chubut)Austrocactus nobilis E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Rio Negro)Austrocactus occidentalis Merkl.Argentina (Chubut)Austrocactus pauxillus E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Mendoza)Austrocactus philippii (Regel & Schmidt) Buxb.C Chile to Argentina (Mendoza)Austrocactus praecox E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Mendoza)Austrocactus spiniflorus (Phil.) F.RitterC ChileAustrocactus subandinus E.Sarnes & N.SarnesNW Argentina
Key to Identification
Ribs divided into tubercles: stems upright large stems (>25 cm) Austrocactus bertinii Austrocactus dusenii – synonym of Austrocactus bertinii Austrocactus intertextus sensu Speg. – synonym of Austrocactus coxii Austrocactus patagonicus – synonym of Austrocactus bertinii smaller stems (<25 cm) Austrocactus ferrarii Austrocactus longicarpus – synonym of Austrocactus coxii ssp. longicarpus Austrocactus philippii stems prostrate stems with adventitious roots Austrocactus colloncurensis – synonym of Austrocactus coxii ssp. colloncurensis Austrocactus coxii Austrocactus gracilis – synonym of Austrocactus coxii Austrocactus hibernus stems without adventitious roots Austrocactus subandinus
Ribs smooth: Austrocactus spiniflorus
References
External links
Cactiguide.com: Austrocactus