Cleistocactus (Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus)

Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b)

Cleistocactus
Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus


Just added to my garden this spring, zone 9b

Thumbnail by Xenomorf
Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b)

Looking at the spines on this pic (and the subsequent ones), I'm wondering if this is actually C. smaragdiflorus. In my experience, that latter has the longer spines throughout, and the flowers are slightly more reddish - not so bright pink. Thoughts?

Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b)

I see your point, and agree. Except for, check out the long spines on this photo
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/69751/

This message was edited Mar 29, 2012 10:17 PM

Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b)

Yeah. THe flowers seem closer to Ferrari than the other photos, but that may be a trick of the full sun I this photo. Additionally, looks like that photos ID was originally something else (not sure what. It doesn't say in the comments).
Still, I'd call that plant smargdiflorus too.

Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b)

I wonder what Palmbobs thoughts are on this.

Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b)

Another character that I use to distinguish the two is the shape of the distal part of the corolla when fully "open": ferrarii flowers have a more 'rounded' aspect at the end (from the outer petals being a bit shorter), while smaragdiflorus flowers tend to be more 'squared off' at the end (from the outer petals being a bit longer).

Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b)

Okay, So my three photos and Palmbob's second and third photos are C. smaragdiflorus.
Are these the only ones that should be moved?

Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b)

Yeah - that's my take.
QCHammy's photo is too out of focus to tell, but seems to look closer to smaragdiflorus than ferrarii; it was also apparently assigned to a different species initially, but was moved here post-facto.
I visited the Huntington this past weekend, and the differences noted above seemed pretty good at distinguishing between the two.
Of course, there were LOTS of other species that I would LOVE to get a hold of some day too! = )
Thanks!
Tristan

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