Biology:Espostoa melanostele

Short description: Species of plant

Espostoa melanostele
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Tribe:	Trichocereeae
Genus:	Espostoa
Species:	E. melanostele

Espostoa melanostele is a species of rare, endangered, long-lived, slow-growing plant in the family Cactaceae.

Endangerment

Horticultural collection and the fact that the plant is slow growing contribute to the fact that the plant is endangered.

Drought tolerance

This xerophyte is tolerant of most droughts when mature.

Subspecies

• Espostoa melanostele subsp. melanostele
• Espostoa melanostele subsp. nana (F.Ritter) G.J.Charles synonym Espostoa nana F.Ritter

Uses

The plant is not only used for its fruit, but also grown for decorative qualities, such as its yellow flowers and its white ''fleece''.

Cultivars

A cultivar, E. melanostele 'Peruvian old lady', is so-named because of its resemblance to an old lady (especially when flowering and fruiting).

Hazards

The spines may be considered a hazard to children, but actually come off the skin very easily with proper handling.

References

• CX Furtado, (1964). Concerning the types of genera, Taxon.

Espostoa melanostele

Flower

Wikidata ☰ Q175369 entry