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Notes for the Genus:

Isolatocereus

Etymology -The name means "Isolated Cereus" describing the sparse distribution of individual plants in habitat.
A single species makes up the genus Isolatocereus. Although these plants closely resemble Stenocereus species and overlap geographically. As a result, taxonomists in the past have included the species I. dumortieri in Stenocereus under the same species name S. dumortieri. Differences in form - particularly the flowers - along with DNA research in the late 1990's are support for keeping this species in a separate genus. However, the New Cactus Lexicon, while stating this supporting information, places the species back into Stenocereus with no further explanation.

The plants themselves feature shallow ribs between 5 and 8 on stems up to 6inches (15cm) in diameter. Straight, heavy spines line the ribs in tightly-spaced areoles. The stems feature a bluish-green epidermis which is quite attractive. Overall growth of I. dumortieri is that of a tree branching low with long branches extending to nearly 50 feet (15m). Flowers are greenish-white and nocturnal, but remain open into the day.

The coloring, shape, and spine patterns of this plant make it desirable for cultivation, but the large size makes it more suitable as a landscape plant. This is not to say it isn't found in cultivation, but unless planted in the ground, one is not likely to ever see flowers on this species. In the wild, plants are widespread throughout central to southwestern Mexico.

Isolatocereus dumortieri


Common Name(s): Candelabra Cactus
Synonym(s): Cereus dumortieri, Lemaireocereus dumortieri, Stenocereus dumortieri, Rathbunia dumortieri
To view publication details for this taxon and related synonyms Click Here.
To view a chart comparing alternate taxonomy Click Here.
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Distribution: Guerrero, Hidalgo, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla - Mexico (North America)
Habit: Treelike
Flower: WhiteEncounterability: Common Worldwide
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Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Desert Botanical Garden , Phoenix, AZ

Photographer: Daiv Freeman
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Desert Botanical Garden , Phoenix, AZ

Photographer: Daiv Freeman
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Huntington Library and Gardens, San Marino, CA

Photographer: Daiv Freeman
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Between El Jaladero and Metztitlan – Hidalgo State, Mexico

Photographer: Jean-Paul Lafournere
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Between El Jaladero and Metztitlan – Hidalgo State, Mexico

Photographer: Jean-Paul Lafournere
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Between El Jaladero and Metztitlan – Hidalgo State, Mexico

Photographer: Jean-Paul Lafournere
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Between El Jaladero and Metztitlan – Hidalgo State, Mexico

Photographer: Jean-Paul Lafournere
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Richard's Collection, Le Cannet, France

Photographer: Gerard Ardisson

Photographer's Website: Click Here
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Gerard Ardisson's Private Collection

Photographer: Gerard Ardisson

Photographer's Website: Click Here
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Habitat in Queretaro Mexico

Photographer: Emmanuel Mejia
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Habitat in Queretaro Mexico

Photographer: Emmanuel Mejia
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Habitat in Queretaro Mexico

Photographer: Emmanuel Mejia
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Habitat in Queretaro Mexico

Photographer: Emmanuel Mejia
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Habitat in Queretaro Mexico

Photographer: Emmanuel Mejia
Isolatocereus dumortieri
I. dumortieri
Picture taken at: Desert Botanical Garden, Phoenix, AZ

Photographer: Scott McMahon

*Currently 1 of 1 known species are represented on CactiGuide.com.


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