Samaipaticereus herrerae

Samaipaticereus herrerae is a species of cactus native to Peru formerly considered a geographical variant of Samaipaticereus corroanus.

Description

Samaipaticereus herrerae is a heavily treelike cactus growing 3-4 meters tall. The pale green stems have 4 to 7 ribs, erect to arched, arcuate, and unsegmented with a diameter of 5-7 cm. 5 to 17 orange to grey spines arise from brownish areoles 2-3 mm in diameter and 1.5 cm apart.
The infundibuliform nocturnal flowers only arise from subapical areoles. The flowers have white petals. Fruits are ovoid, 3 cm in length, and indistinctly ribbed. Seeds are larger than that of Samaipaticereus corroanus.

Distribution

This species is found growing in Cusco department of Peru at elevations between 900–1300 meters. Plants are found growing along with Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis, Cereus vargasianus, and
''Rhipsalis baccifera''

Taxonomy

Samaipaticereus herrerae was formerly considered a geographical form of Samaipaticereus corroanus. It was circumscribed due to subtle morphological differences of the two populations. The plant was name after Fortunato Luciano Herrera who discovered the species.