ESCONTRIA. 



This tree-like cactus is native in the dry parts of northwestern Argentina, and occurs 

 over a considerable area, growing with scattered shrubs and small trees on plains and low 

 ridges. It is one of the most striking cacti in South America and often forms the dominant 

 feature of the landscape on the high plains of northern Argentina. 



In 1917, Dr. Shafer collected living specimens and flowers in Santiago del Estero, 

 Argentina, which have enabled us to rcdescribe the species. Flowers were also collected 

 by Wilhelm Bodenbender in 1905, but these were not accompanied by stems and were not 

 at first associated with this species. 



Illustrations: Monatsschr. Kak- 

 teenk. 3: 177; 13: 187; Schelle, 

 Handb. Kakteenk. f. 17; Rev. Hort. 

 Beige 40: after 184, as Ccrcnscoryiic. 



FIG. 95. Flower of S. corync. Xo.6. 



FIG. y6. Stetsonia coryne. 



Plate ix is from a photograph contributed by Dr. Spegazzini. Figure 96 is from a 

 photograph of flowering branches taken by Dr. Shafer at Santiago del Estero, Argentina, 

 in 1917; figure 95 shows the flower of one of these branches. 



7. ESCONTRIA Rose, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 10: 125. 1906. 



Large and much branched plants; ribs few; spines all similar, arranged in peculiar pectinate 

 clusters; flowers small, yellow, somewhat campanulate, one at an areole, diurnal; ovary globular, 

 covered with imbricated chartaceous, translucent, persistent scales, their axils without spines or 

 hairs; inner perianth-segments erect, narrow; stamens and style included; fruit globular, scaly, purple, 

 fleshy, edible; seeds numerous, black, rugose, with a flattened, broad, basal hilum. 



Type species: Cereus chiotilla Weber. 



Only i species is definitely known. The genus commemorates Senor Don Bias Escon- 

 tria, a distinguished Mexican, who died in 1906. 



1. Escontria chiotilla (Weber) Rose, Contr. U. S. Nat. Herb. 10: 126. 1906. 

 Cereus chiotilla Weber in Schumann, Gcsamtb. Kaktcen 83. 1897. 



Plant 4 to 7 meters high; trunk very short; branches numerous, forming a compact top, weak 

 and easily broken, bright green, not at all glaucous; ribs 7 or S, acute; areoles close together, often 

 confluent, elliptic; radial spines 10 to 15, rather short, often reflexed; central spines several, one much 



