Corryocactus serpens

Corryocactus serpens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Corryocactus
Species:
C. serpens
Binomial name
Corryocactus serpens
F.Ritter 1981

Corryocactus serpens is a species of Corryocactus found in Peru.[1]

Description

Corryocactus serpens is a sparsely branched, shrubby cactus with stems, which are initially upright, become creeping and trailing, reaching lengths of 2 to 3 meters and a diameter of 1 to 2.5 cm (0.39 to 0.98 in). These stems have a green epidermis. Ribs on the stems number 4 to 6 and are obtuse. Areoles on these ribs bear 6 to 12 needle-like, straight, brown spines, each measuring 1 to 4 cm (0.39 to 1.57 in) long. The carmine red flowers are up to 2.1 cm (0.83 in) long and 1.8 cm (0.71 in) wide. The olive green fruits are approximately 2 cm (0.79 in) long and up to 1.6 cm (0.63 in) in diameter.[2]

Distribution

This species is native to the Huancavelica department of Peru. It thrives in desert or dry scrub biomes at altitudes of 2200 to 2600 meters.[1]

Taxonomy

The species was first described as Copiapoa serpens by Friedrich Ritter in 1981. The specific epithet "serpens" (Latin for "snake" or "creeping") refers to the plant's creeping growth habit.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Corryocactus serpens F.Ritter". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2026-01-04.
  2. ^ "Todos Los Cactus del Peru" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-01-05.
  3. ^ "Corryocactus serpens". Dictionary of Cactus Names. 2022-01-05. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
  • Media related to Corryocactus serpens at Wikimedia Commons
  • Data related to Corryocactus serpens at Wikispecies