Corryocactus pulquinensis


Corryocactus pulquinensis is a species of Corryocactus found in Bolivia.

Description

Corryocactus pulquinensis is a sparsely branched, shrubby cactus that grows prostrate or climbing. Its bright green stems can reach 3 to 4 meters in length and 3 to 4 centimeters in diameter. The stems feature 4 to 5 blunt, notched ribs bearing areoles. Each areole contains 3 to 7 needle-like or awl-shaped white spines with darker tips, measuring 0.5 to 2 centimeters long. These spines are slightly pressed against the stem and are not clearly distinguishable as central and radial, with three of them directed downwards. Funnel-shaped to bell-shaped flowers, ranging from golden yellow to orange, appear in clusters of 3 to 4 near the stem apex. These flowers are 7 to 7.5 centimeters long.

Distribution

Native to eastern Bolivia, specifically the Santa Cruz department, Corryocactus pulquinensis primarily inhabits desert or dry scrub biomes at altitudes around 1500 meters.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Bolivian botanist Martín Cárdenas Hermosa in 1957 and named after the Bolivian town of Pulquina, its type locality.