Eriosyce

Eriosyce (Neoporteria or Neochilenia both names still used as synonyms) is a genus of cactus with 35 species native to southern Peru, the northern half of Chile, and western central Argentina.

Distribution and habitat

In Chile they grow from the extreme north to the city of Concepción in the Bío-Bío region. In this area the climate is very varied - desert in the north, temperate and rainy in the south - They have acclimatized to different habitats growing between rocks, in the sand, almost covered by small stones, among other plants, etc.

Description

They have a globose or cylindrical body with numerous ribs, some species are covered by dense and long spines, while others lack them completely.

History

The expedition of Luis Pérez Egaña and Jaime Herrada confirmed the strange existence of Eriosyce in La quebrada de Asia, 99 km south of Lima, after passing through the town of Coaguillo.

The plants were found almost at the foot of the hills growing among agglomerated stones. The climatic conditions of this ravine are probably similar to those of southern Peru and that is why they could also develop in parallel there.

The best source of information on the genus is Kattermann's book, published in 1994, in which the many named species were amalgamated into about 30.

Taxonomy

The genus was described by Rodolfo Amando Philippi and published in Anales de la Universidad de Chile 41: 721. 1872. The type species is: Eriosyce sandillon (Gay)Phil.

Etymology

Eriosyce: generic name derived from two Greek words "erion" = "wool" and syke = "fig tree or figs""; due to the fruits obtained.

It includes 56 described species and of these, only 42 accepted.

Species