Leucostele
| Leucostele | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leucostele terscheckii | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Cereeae |
| Subtribe: | Trichocereinae |
| Genus: | Leucostele Backeb.[1] |
| Type species | |
| Leucostele atacamensis | |
| Species | |
Leucostele is a genus of large cacti native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile.
Description
Species in this genus have diverse growth forms, from shrubby, clump-forming plants under 1 meter tall to large, tree-like cacti over 10 meters high. Stems are cylindrical or slightly club-shaped, mostly erect, but some may be decumbent, arching, or prostrate. Many species branch at the base into dense clusters, while others develop a trunk with a branched, candelabra-like crown. The stem color varies from green to grayish-green, dark green, or yellowish-green. Stems have 8 to over 30 ribs, which are usually blunt but can be sharper. Ribs may be smooth or tuberculated. Areoles are round, oval, obovate, or oblong—are spaced along the ribs and often bear dense white, gray, yellow, brown, or black wool. Spines differ widely in number, size, and color; they can be needle-like, bristle-like, rigid, flexible, straight, or curved. Some species have distinct central and radial spines, while in others, these are hard to differentiate. Spine colors range from yellow and brown to gray and black, often with multiple colors in a single areole. In some taxa, apical spines form a silky, dense covering around the stem tips. Flowers occur near the stem apex—apically, subapically, or on upper sides—either alone or in clusters. They are funnel-shaped or less frequently bell-shaped, mostly white but sometimes pink, yellow, or green. The ovary and floral tube are covered with dense wool and hairs of various colors, along with scales. Stamens are arranged in multiple series within the floral tube, and the style protrudes from the flower’s throat. Flowering times vary, with species blooming during the day, night, or both. Fruits are fleshy pseudo-berries, generally globose or slightly ovoid, green to dark green, with scales and abundant axillary hairs. Many species produce edible fruits. Seeds are small, dark brown or black, with surfaces that can be smooth, rough, or finely pitted.[2][3]
Taxonomy
The genus Leucostele was defined by the German botanist Curt Backeberg and was first published in the scientific journal Kakteen und Andere Sukkulenten.[2] The name "Leucostele" is derived from the Greek words "leukos," meaning "white," and "stēlē," meaning "column" or "post." This name refers to the tall, column-like shape of these cacti and their rigid, shiny, whitish spines, which resemble white columns.[4]
Species
Species of the genus Leucostele according to Plants of the World Online as of July 2023:[1]
| image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 | Leucostele atacamensis (Phil.) Schlumpb. | Chile, Argentina and Bolivia. |
 | Leucostele bolligeriana (Mächler & Helmut Walter) Schlumpb. | Chile (Cardenal Caro) |
 | Leucostele chiloensis (Colla) Schlumpb. | Chile |
 | Leucostele deserticola (Werderm.) Schlumpb. | Chile (Antofagasta to Coquimbo) |
 | Leucostele faundezii (Albesiano) Schlumpb. | Chile (Coquimbo) |
_01.jpg) | Leucostele litoralis (Johow) P.C.Guerrero & Helmut Walter | Chile (Coquimbo, Valparaíso). |
 | Leucostele nigripilis (Phil.) P.C.Guerrero & Helmut Walter | Chile (Atacama to Coquimbo) |
| Leucostele pectinifera (Albesiano) Schlumpb. | Chile (Coquimbo) | |
 | Leucostele skottsbergii (Backeb.) P.C.Guerrero & Helmut Walter | Chile (Coquimbo) |
 | Leucostele terscheckii (J.Parm. ex Pfeiff.) Schlumpb. | Argentina |
 | Leucostele tunariensis (Cárdenas) Schlumpb. | Bolivia |
| Leucostele undulosa (Albesiano) Schlumpb. | Chile (Coquimbo) | |
 | Leucostele werdermanniana (Backeb.) Schlumpb. | Bolivia |
References
- 1 2 "Leucostele Backeb". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
- 1 2 Backeberg, Curt (1953). "Leucostele Backbg. n. g." (PDF). Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten. 4 (3): 36–41. Retrieved 2026-06-08.
- ↑ Albesiano Hoyos, Adriana Sofía (2015-11-30). Taxonomía y filogenia de Trichocereus (Berg.) Riccob. (Trichocereeae-Cactaceae) (Doctor en Ciencias Naturales thesis) (in Spanish). Universidad Nacional de La Plata. doi:10.35537/10915/49922. Retrieved 2026-06-07.
- ↑ "Leucostele". Dictionary of Cactus Names. 2020-11-13. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
External links
Media related to Leucostele at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Leucostele at Wikispecies