Eriosyce villosa

Eriosyce villosa

Eriosyce villosa (Monv.) Katt.

A cactus of coastal Chile studied as a representative of the dry end of habitat variation in the Neoporteria lineage. Its seeds illustrate the importance of available water during germination [Guerrero et al. 2016].

2 min readUpdated 21 October 2026

Distribution and relationships

Eriosyce villosa is an accepted species native to Atacama and Coquimbo. The 2019 phylogeny placed it in the northern group of the Neoporteria lineage alongside close relatives. Its distinct placement helps compare the evolution of environmental requirements within the genus [Guerrero et al. 2019] [2-WWW].

An experiment with seeds from Huasco

A study published in 2016 used seeds collected from 15 plants at Huasco. They were compared with E. subgibbosa seeds from a more southerly locality. Each combination of temperature and water potential had five replicates of ten seeds. A twelve-hour light period was maintained, and observations continued until further germination ceased [Guerrero et al. 2016].

The best outcomes were associated with warmer regimes and available water. Strongly reduced water potential restricted germination, which remained zero at −1.5 MPa. Overall, E. villosa seeds germinated less well than the comparison batch of E. subgibbosa. Adult occurrence in dry habitat thus coexists with a requirement for adequate hydration at the beginning of life [Guerrero et al. 2016].

Scope of the comparison

The experiment describes seeds from one population after a particular storage period. Its conclusions concern the germination niche, the conditions allowing embryo growth to begin. Seedling survival through subsequent drought and adult tolerance belong to later stages of the life cycle. Distinguishing these stages helps explain why a suitable locality must satisfy several different requirements through the year [Guerrero et al. 2016].

Hidden diversity in Eriosyce. DNA, geography and pollinators in species recognition

Materials from the author's archive

The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive [Kaktusy i Inne 2004] [Kaktologia 2009b] [Neciu n.d.] [Kaktusy i Inne 2005a].

Synonyms and names in the literature

Cactus villosus · Echinocactus villosus · Neoporteria villosa · Chileniopsis villosa · Euporteria villosa · Chileniopsis polyraphis · Chileniopsis villosa var. nigra · Echinocactus polyraphis · Echinocactus villosus var. niger · Euporteria atrispinosa · Euporteria cephalophora · Neoporteria planiceps · Neoporteria polyraphis · Neoporteria villosa var. planiceps [2-WWW]

Related plant cards

Eriosyce subgibbosaEriosyce

Created 21 October 2026

Last modified 21 October 2026

Sources for this account

[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Article2016

Evolutionary change in the germination niche between related species within Neoporteria clade (Cactaceae) is idiosyncratic to habitat type

Guerrero P. C., Mardones D., Viveros N., Peña-Gómez F. T., Bustamante R. O., Evolutionary change in the germination niche between related species within Neoporteria clade (Cactaceae) is idiosyncratic to habitat type, Gayana Botánica, 2016, 73(2):177-182, doi: 10.4067/S0717-66432016000200177

The experiment compares germination of Eriosyce subgibbosa and E. villosa across four temperature regimes and five water potentials. Seeds represent one population of each species. Differences in germination probability inform discussion of how early development may contribute to plant distributions.

Physiology and anatomyGenusEriosyce

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Article2019

Molecular phylogeny of the large South American genus Eriosyce (Notocacteae, Cactaceae): Generic delimitation and proposed changes in infrageneric and species ranks

Guerrero P. C., Walter H. E., Arroyo M. T. K., Peña C. M., Tamburrino I., De Benedictis M., Larridon I., Molecular phylogeny of the large South American genus Eriosyce (Notocacteae, Cactaceae): Generic delimitation and proposed changes in infrageneric and species ranks, Taxon, 2019, 68(3):557-573, doi: 10.1002/tax.12066

An analysis of four plastid markers and one nuclear marker includes 63 Eriosyce taxa and 19 outgroup representatives. The authors evaluate generic limits and internal classification, identify disagreements between previous morphological treatments and relationships, and propose nomenclatural changes. Seven principal clades receive varying levels of support.

Physiology and anatomyGenusEriosyce

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

Zeszyt czasopisma2004

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2, Kaktusy i Inne, 2004, nr 2]

A 2004 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Copiapoa, Neoraimondia, Neowerdermannia and Samaipaticereus.

GenusCopiapoaNeoraimondiaNeowerdermanniaSamaipaticereus

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material

Zeszyt czasopisma2009b

Kaktologia — zeszyt 2

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktologia — zeszyt 2, Kaktologia, 2009b, nr 2]

A 2009 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. It contains collectors' material and historical cactus nomenclature.

Genus

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material

Katalogb.d.

Oferta kaktusów Cristiana Neciu — dokument Word

[Neciu C., Oferta kaktusów Cristiana Neciu — dokument Word, b.d.]

Cristian Neciu's cactus offer preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. It documents plant names used in a collector's offer.

Genus

Copy in the supplied material

Zeszyt czasopisma2005a

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 4

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 4, Kaktusy i Inne, 2005a, nr 4]

A 2005 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Eriosyce, Espostoa, Euphorbia and Ficus.

GenusEriosyceEspostoaEuphorbiaFicus

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material

Distribution and relationships

An experiment with seeds from Huasco

Scope of the comparison

Related articles

Materials from the author's archive

Related plant cards

Sources for this account

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Evolutionary change in the germination niche between related species within Neoporteria clade (Cactaceae) is idiosyncratic to habitat type

Molecular phylogeny of the large South American genus Eriosyce (Notocacteae, Cactaceae): Generic delimitation and proposed changes in infrageneric and species ranks

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2

Kaktologia — zeszyt 2

Oferta kaktusów Cristiana Neciu — dokument Word

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 4