Biology:Austrocactus

From HandWiki

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

As of September 2026, Plants of the World Online accepted the following species:[1]

Image Scientific Name Distribution
Austrocactus aonikenkensis E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Santa Cruz)
Austrocactus bertinii (J.F.Cels) Britton & Rose S Chile to N Central and S Argentina
Austrocactus coxii (K.Schum.) Backeb. S Argentina
Austrocactus decorus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Neuquén)
Austrocactus diamantinus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Mendoza)
Austrocactus elegans Böhnert Chile (Maule) to Argentina (Mendoza and Neuquén)
Austrocactus ferrarii R.Kiesling, E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Mendoza)
Austrocactus hibernus F.Ritter C Chile
Austrocactus implexus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Chubut)
Austrocactus nobilis E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Rio Negro)
Austrocactus occidentalis Merkl. Argentina (Chubut)
Austrocactus pauxillus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Mendoza)
Austrocactus philippii (Regel & Schmidt) Buxb. C Chile to Argentina (Mendoza)
Austrocactus praecox E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes Argentina (Mendoza)
Austrocactus spiniflorus (Phil.) F.Ritter C Chile
Austrocactus subandinus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes NW Argentina

Key to Identification

Ribs divided into tubercles:[2]

  • 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

Ribs smooth:

  • Austrocactus spiniflorus

References

Wikidata ☰ Q137862 entry