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''Espostoa lanata'' (= Wooly Espostoa) is a
''Espostoa lanata'' is easy to grow. It needs fertile and well-drained soil. In summer, water the plants well but allow them to dry before watering again. Use monthly a fertilizer for cacti. In winter, keep it dry and the temperature may be as low as −12 °C, but it is better to keep it without frost. The exposure must be sunny in summer and at least luminous in winter. In favorable conditions (sun, water, large place), it can grow 20 cm every year.
''Espostoa lanata'' (= Wooly Espostoa) is a species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of cactus
A cactus (, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Gree ...
of the genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
'' Espostoa''.
Its common names are Peruvian old man cactus, cotton ball cactus, snowball cactus, snowball old man.
Habitat
Its original habitat is from southernEcuador
Ecuador ( ; ; Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechua: ''Ikwadur Ripuwlika''; Shuar: ''Eku ...
to the northern Peru
, image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg
, image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg
, other_symbol = Great Seal of the State
, other_symbol_type = Seal (emblem), National seal
, national_motto = "Fi ...
on the west slopes of the Andes
The Andes, Andes Mountains or Andean Mountains (; ) are the longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range is long, wide (widest between 18°S – 20°S ...
mountains.
Description
''Espostoa lanata'' is a columnar cactus. It looks like ''Cephalocereus senilis
''Cephalocereus senilis'', the old man cactus, is a species of cactus native to Hidalgo and Veracruz in central Mexico. It is threatened in the wild, but widespread propagation and popularity in cultivation have reduced the demand on wild popul ...
'' (the Old Man of Mexico) : it is a densely hairy species, covered by a warm woolly coat and well adapted to high altitudes. The main difference is the presence of sharp spines on ''Espostoa''. It is widespread in its habitat and quite variable in size and spines, and for this reason it has received several names.
The plant is a column up to 7 meters tall in the wild, but only 3 meters when cultivated. The diameter is from 5 to 20 cm. There are 18 to 25 ribs. The ribs and the sharp are mainly hidden by tissue woolly. It branches only after several years.
It flowers at night from a lateral cephalium
Cephalium is a frequently brightly coloured structure of wool and bristle at the growing tip of certain cacti. It is most commonly found on cacti of the genus ''Melocactus'' and can take a number of colours, forms and shapes.
The cephalium will on ...
after several years.
Woolly hairs have been used for pillow filling in Peru.Subspecies
* ''Espostoa lanata'' subsp. ''lanata'' * ''Espostoa lanata'' subsp. ''huanucoensis'' synonym '' Espostoa huanucoensis'' * ''Espostoa lanata'' subsp. ''lanianuligera'' synonym '' Espostoa lanianuligera'' * ''Espostoa lanata'' subsp. ''ruficeps'' synonym '' Espostoa ruficeps''Cultivation
Source :''Espostoa lanata'' is easy to grow. It needs fertile and well-drained soil. In summer, water the plants well but allow them to dry before watering again. Use monthly a fertilizer for cacti. In winter, keep it dry and the temperature may be as low as −12 °C, but it is better to keep it without frost. The exposure must be sunny in summer and at least luminous in winter. In favorable conditions (sun, water, large place), it can grow 20 cm every year.
Notes and references
References
External links
* http://www.cactus-art.biz/schede/ESPOSTOA/Espostoa_lanata/Espostoa_lanata/Espostoa_lanata.htm {{Taxonbar, from=Q1368378 Trichocereeae Flora of Ecuador Flora of Peru