Denmoza

Denmoza is a monotypic genus of cactus with the sole species Denmoza rhodacantha, synonym Echinopsis rhodacantha, native to northwest Argentina.

Description

Denmoza rhodocantha starts out as a globular cactus and stays that way for quite some time before growing into a column with a diameter of. The 30 or more ribs are high and wide, with a width of at the base. The first areoles are confluent and bear brownish-red spines, later grey. The 8 to 10 radial spines are slightly bent. The areoles from which the flowers sprout also produce a series of long brown bristles as well as long spines up to. The tubular flowers are scarlet. The fruits are spherical and contain shiny black-brown seeds with a diameter of about.

Taxonomy

The first plants were probably discovered in 1821 by John Gilles near the city of Mendoza. They were given the name Cactus coccineus, but this has never been validly published. The species was first described as Echinocactus rhodacanthus in 1834 by Joseph zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck. Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose transferred the species to their newly established genus Denmoza in 1922., Plants of the World Online accepted the placement in Denmoza.

Distribution

Denmoza rhodacantha is found in northwestern and western Argentina on the eastern slopes and foothills of the Andes in the provinces from Mendoza to Salta at altitudes of 800 to 2800 meters.