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THE CACTACEAE. 



1. Neoraimondia macrostibas (Schumann). 



Pilocereus macrostibas Schumann, Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 13: 168. 1903. 

 Cerens macrostibas Berger, Rep. Mo. Bot. Gard. 16: 69. 1905. 



Plant with many branches arising from near the base, 2 to 4 meters high; areoles 1 to 2 cm. apart, 

 very large, rarely less than 1 cm. broad, often globular or on old plants elongating into subcylindric 

 spur-like bodies 10 cm. long or less; spines 12 or more at an areole, very unequal, the central ones 

 often elongated on the old part of the stem, sometimes 24 cm. long; flowers 2.5 to 4 cm. long; inner 

 perianth-segments about 1 cm. long; filaments numerous, short, included, white; style short, white; 

 stigma-lobes pinkish; fruit sometimes 7 cm. in diameter, purple, the brown-woolly areoles finally 

 falling off as little balls; pulp red, edible; seeds numerous. 



Type locality: Near Mollendo, Peru. 



Distribution: Throughout western Peru. 



In 19 1 4, Dr. Rose studied the plant in its native habitat and 

 collected complete specimens. It is one of the most remarkable of 

 all cacti in its very stout, few-ribbed branches, immense brown 

 areoles and greatly elongated spines, these, perhaps, the longest of 

 any. These areoles doubtless produce flowers year after year and 

 the indication is that the largest of these areoles must be of great age. 

 The plant itself must grow very slowly, for it is found only on the 



Fig. 259. — Cluster of spines of Neorai- 

 mondia macrostibas. X0.6. 



Fig. 260. — Ne< 



borders of the barren Peruvian deserts, where its water supply is very meager. The 

 elongated spines (24 cm. long) are the longest we have seen in any cacti, although 

 Cereus jamacaru is reported to have spines 30 cm. long, but the longest we have measured 

 were only 19 cm. long. 



The unusual specific name given to this plant probably refers to the peculiar areoles. 



Illustrations: Monatsschr. Kakteenk. 13: 168, 169, both as Pilocereus macrostibas. 



