|
Demnoza is a barrel type of cactus with extraordinary scarlet
zygomorphic, tubular flowers it is a very variable species.
Taxonomy: The genus
Denmoza comprises only one species. The plants described as Pilocereus erythrocephalus and later transferred to Denmoza
has sometimes, for instance by Backeberg, been considered as another
species of the genus. D. rhodacantha changes considerably
in the habit with age. The description of D. rhodacantha
refers to young plants having strong spines in areoles. Old plants
of the same species with multiple number of spines and sometimes
with thin, 6 cm long bristly spines correspond to the description of
D. erythrosepala.
|
|
A 40 years old mature specimen grafted on
Opuntia bergeriana planted in the ground. (photo by Gerard
Ardisson France) |
Description: Demnozas grow
slowly and stay
globulous during a long period before becoming shortly
column-shaped, 0.5 to 1.5 cm high. The plant's diameter ranges from 15
to 30 cm, the stem colour varies from pale green to dark green, with 15
to 30 ribs. They need to reach a reasonable size in cultivation before
producing their flowers. First flowers appear, however, on plants of
very unequal age and size, some time on relatively young plants but also
on 30-40 years old specimens! Flowers are
zygomorphous, of a maximum length of 7.5 cm, reddish in colour and
have white hair on the tube. The flower open sufficiently widely so that
the stigma and stamen are visible from outside.
|
|
Cultivation: D. rhodacantha
is very slow growing cactus but requires no special condition in
cultivation, need full sun and a very draining soil.
|
|
Denmoza erytrhocephala "flavispina"
(A form with bright yellow to orange spines)
|
|
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
Denmoza
rhodacantha:
 |
|
|
Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Denmoza rhodacantha, (Salm-Dyck)
Britton & Rose 1922
Origin: Widespread throughout the mountains of Argentina
(Mendoza to Salta) at 2000- 2800 m of elevation.
Etymology: The name of the genus is an anagram of the western
province of Mendoza.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Synonyms:
- Echinocactus rhodacanthus
- Echinopsis rhodacantha
- Cleistocactus rhodacanthus
- Cereus rhodacanthus and erythrocephalus
- Pilocereus erythrocephalus,
- Denmoza erythrocephala
|
|
Demnoza erythrocephala
Demnoza is cactus with extraordinary
scarlet
zygomorphic tubular flowers
 |
|
