Cleistocactus (Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus)

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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Apr 17, 2007

Cleistocactus
Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus

Just added to my garden this spring, zone 9b

Post #3401166

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Minime8484 Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 29, 2012

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?

Post #9062411

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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 29, 2012

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

Post #9062752

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Minime8484 Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 30, 2012

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.

Post #9063840

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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) Mar 31, 2012

I wonder what Palmbobs thoughts are on this.

Post #9064274

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Minime8484 Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b) Apr 07, 2012

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).

Post #9073057

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Xenomorf Phoenix, AZ(Zone 9b) May 02, 2012

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

Post #9108027

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Minime8484 Chandler, AZ(Zone 9b) May 03, 2012

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