Echinopsis
Echinopsis oxygona
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cereeae
Subtribe: Trichocereinae
Genus: Echinopsis
Zucc.
Type species
Echinopsis eyriesii, now Echinopsis oxygona
Species

Around 20, see text

Synonyms
  • Andenea Kreuz.
  • Aureilobivia Frič ex Kreuz., not validly publ.
  • Cosmantha Y.Itô
  • × Cosmopsis Y.Itô
  • Echinonyctanthus Lem.
  • Hymenorebutia Frič ex Buining
  • Pilopsis Y.Itô, not validly publ.
  • Salpingolobivia Y.Itô
  • × Salpingolobiviopsis Y.Itô

Echinopsis is a genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. As of October 2023, there are about 20 accepted species, ranging from large and treelike types to small globose cacti. The name derives from echinos hedgehog or sea urchin, and opsis appearance, a reference to these plants' dense coverings of spines.

They are remarkable for the great size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems.

Taxonomy

Studies in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in several formerly separate genera being absorbed into Echinopsis. When very broadly circumscribed, Echinopsis sensu lato included over 100 species.[1] Some genera have been absorbed and then accepted again. For example, the genus name Trichocereus was given to a number of columnar cacti in 1909 by Vincenzo Riccobono. The genus was subsumed into Echinopsis in 1974 by Friedrich, along with Lobivia. In 2011, it was argued that Trichocereus was distinct from Echinopsis,[2] and a 2012 genetic and morphological study by Albesiano found Trichocereus to be monophyletic if it included three species of Harrisia.[3]

A 2012 genetic analysis of chloroplast DNA indicated Echinopsis was made up of several divergent lineages.[4] This was shown again in 2019.[1]

As of October 2023, Plants of the World Online accepts Echinopsis more narrowly circumscribed to include only about 20 species.[5]

Species

Species as according to Plants of the World Online as of September 2023:[5]

ImageScientific NameDistribution
Echinopsis albispinosa K.Schum.Argentina
Echinopsis aurea Britton & RoseArgentina
Echinopsis breviflora (Backeb.) M.LowryArgentina (Salta)
Echinopsis calochlora K.Schum.Bolivia to Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul)
Echinopsis chalaensis (Rauh & Backeb.) H.Friedrich & G.D.RowleyPeru
Echinopsis chrysantha Werderm.Argentina
Echinopsis clavata (F.Ritter) D.R.HuntBolivia
Echinopsis cuzcoensis (Britton & Rose) H.Friedrich & G.D.RowleyPeru
Echinopsis densispina Werderm.Argentina
Echinopsis haematantha (Speg.) D.R.HuntArgentina and Bolivia
Echinopsis jajoana (Backeb.) Blossf.Argentina
Echinopsis lageniformis (C.F.Först.) H.Friedrich & G.D.RowleyBolivia.
Echinopsis marsoneri Werderm.Bolivia to Argentina (Jujuy, Salta).
Echinopsis oligotricha (Cárdenas) M.LowryBolivia
Echinopsis oxygona (Link) Zucc. ex Pfeiff. & OttoBrazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina
Echinopsis rauschii FriedrichBolivia (Cochabamba)
Echinopsis rojasii CárdenasBolivia
Echinopsis tacaquirensis (Vaupel) H.Friedrich & G.D.RowleyBolivia
Echinopsis torrefluminensis M.LowryBolivia
Echinopsis werdermannii Frič ex Fleisch.Paraguay

Many hybrids exist, mostly between similar species but also between more distinct ones, such as the cross between Trichocereus pachanoi (now Trichocereus macrogonus var. pachanoi) and E. eyriesii (now E. oxygona) which was sold under the name "Trichopsis pachaniesii" by Sacred Succulents.

Distribution

Echinopsis species are native to South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).[5] They grow only in situations where the soil is sandy or gravelly, or on the sides of hills in the crevices of rocks.

Cultivation

The growing and resting seasons for Echinopsis are the same as for Echinocactus. Research by J. Smith (former Curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) showed that species like the Chilean Echinopsis cristata and its Mexican relatives thrive if potted in light loam, with a little leaf mould and a few nodules of limestone. The limestone keeps the soil open; it is important that the soil should be well drained.

References

  1. 1 2 Guerrero, Pablo C.; Majure, Lucas C.; Cornejo-Romero, Amelia & Hernández-Hernández, Tania (2019). "Phylogenetic Relationships and Evolutionary Trends in the Cactus Family". Journal of Heredity. 110 (1): 4–21. doi:10.1093/jhered/esy064. PMID 30476167.
  2. ↑ Schick, Robert (2011), "Echinopsis sensu stricto and Trichocereus: Differentiating the Genera", Cactus and Succulent Journal, 83 (6): 248–255, doi:10.2985/0007-9367-83.6.248, S2CID 83700680
  3. ↑ Albesiano, Sofía; Terrazas, Teresa (2012). "Cladistic Analysis of Trichocereus (Cactaceae: Cactoideae: Trichocereeae) Based on Morphological Data and Chloroplast Dna Sequences: Dedicated to Omar Emilio Ferrari (1936-2010)". Haseltonia. 17: 3–23. doi:10.2985/1070-0048-17.1.2. S2CID 9835045.
  4. ↑ Schlumpberger, Boris O.; Renner, Susanne S. (2012). "Molecular phylogenetics of Echinopsis (Cactaceae): Polyphyly at all levels and convergent evolution of pollination modes and growth forms". American Journal of Botany. 99 (8): 1335–49. doi:10.3732/ajb.1100288. PMID 22859654.
  5. 1 2 3 "Echinopsis Zucc. — Plants of the World Online". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-10-08.

Bibliography

  • Edward F. Anderson, The Cactus Family (Timber Press, 2001) ISBN 0-88192-498-9, pp. 255–286
  • K. Trout, Trout's Notes on San Pedro & related Trichocereus species (Sacred Cacti 3rd ed. Part B) (Moksha Press, 2005) ISBN 0-9770876-0-3
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