Accepted name and historical treatments
Eulychnia iquiquensis (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose is an accepted species in Plants of the World Online. Its synonyms include Cereus iquiquensis, E. breviflora subsp. iquiquensis, E. aricensis, E. morromorenoensis and E. iquiquensis var. pullilana. The current POWO account indicates northern Chile. Older field accounts considered populations under these names in a broader review of the coastal range. [2-WWW] [Pinto 2007]
In Merklinger and colleagues' study, plants from type localities were identified with the oldest available name to retain information about the material studied. For E. iquiquensis (material formerly called E. aricensis) from Camaraca, plants could not be recollected in the field. Cultivated material originating from Ritter's collection was included. The authors considered the local population probably extinct. Such sample identification documents origin and does not reinstate a former name as a separate species. [Merklinger et al. 2021, p. 187–188] [2-WWW]
Tree-like stems and developmental changes
In Pinto's observations, adult plants had a hard, smooth trunk from which columnar branches arose. The older trunk portion near ground level lost its spines. Branching increased as the plant grew. Longitudinal ribs were described on the stems, usually 10 to 16 in the field. Height and branch number differed markedly between sites. Dimensions of large specimens come from the studied populations, rather than measurements of growth in pots. [Pinto 2007, results, morphological description]
The study in 2001 and 2005 distinguished living and dead plants by tissue preservation and exposure of the inner woody cylinder after the outer stem portion fell away. Standing dead trunks documented earlier cactus occurrence. Their presence affected the assessment of population condition but alone could not establish the death date of each individual. [Pinto 2007, methods and discussion]
Parts of the coast accessible to fog
Pinto analysed coastal ecosystems from near Arica to the Río Loa area. Living plants were concentrated on outcrops and in rock fissures, often on west-facing slopes towards ocean fog. Topography and aspect alter moisture supply over short distances. Vegetation patches are separated by desert areas, limiting habitat continuity. [Pinto 2007, methods, results and discussion]
Counting methods depended on the site. On steep cliffs, some plants were observed through binoculars, while accessible areas allowed individual specimens to be measured and located, and the larger Chipana population was estimated from transects. These procedures cannot be reduced to equal census accuracy. The data provide a historical picture of distribution and condition in 2001 and 2005. [Pinto 2007, methods]
Moist episodes, flowering and population condition
In 2002, during a moist El Niño episode, flowering and fruiting were recorded at the study sites. Plant development was uneven over time. Long drought periods were interrupted by more favourable water conditions. From the presence of small individuals, the author inferred periodic population renewal. Assigning them to specific past germination seasons remained an estimate based on size. [Pinto 2007, results and discussion]
The 2007 study also described a large proportion of dead plants and localities where no living specimens were found. It considered wood collection for fuel and deteriorating water conditions as causes of population disappearance. The threat assessments presented are regional conclusions from the studies of that time. Counts and proportions of dead trunks are not given here as a current species census. [Pinto 2007, dyskusja]
Relationships and retaining provenance in cultivation
In the 2021 genomic analysis, E. iquiquensis, together with material identified under the historical names E. aricensis, E. morromorenoensis and var. pullilana, fell in the main group also including E. breviflora. Detailed sample arrangements differed between methods. The result confirms the need to retain locality information, especially when comparing strongly separated populations. [Merklinger et al. 2021, p. 188, 190–194]
A plant in a collection can retain an old label or field number alongside the name accepted in the atlas. Such provenance helps connect cultivation observations to field material. General conditions for growing columnar cacti under cover are described in the genus account. The coastal studies cited concern water availability, condition and reproduction at natural sites. [2-WWW] [Merklinger et al. 2021] [1-WWW]
Related articles
Materials from the author's archive
The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive. [Pinto 2005, file p. 18]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cereus iquiquensis · Eulychnia breviflora subsp. iquiquensis · Eulychnia aricensis · Eulychnia morromorenoensis · Eulychnia iquiquensis var. pullilana [2-WWW]