Distribution and growth form
The species occurs in central and southwestern Mexico. The study of its seedlings identifies the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley and the Balsas Depression within its range. The authors describe low stems remaining below approximately 1.5 m in height and a decumbent growth form. These features distinguish it from many tall, candelabriform members of the genus [Ayala-Cordero et al. 2006].
Plants of the World Online accepts the name Stenocereus beneckei (C.Ehrenb.) A.Berger & Buxb. Historical names such as Cereus beneckei and Hertrichocereus beneckei refer to the same species [2-WWW].
Development of seedling metabolism
The daily pattern of acid metabolism in Stenocereus beneckei seedlings develops with age. In a laboratory experiment involving four soil water potentials, diel fluctuations in titratable acidity were irregular at six and seven months. By nine months, the seedlings exhibited a clear pattern of nocturnal acid accumulation characteristic of CAM. This pattern appeared in every soil moisture treatment, and the authors linked its development primarily to seedling maturation. Water availability also influenced the magnitude of the measured acidity fluctuations [Ayala-Cordero et al. 2006].
Seed reserves and water deficit
Seed mass was associated with early growth and the response to prolonged water deficit. Seedlings from the smallest seed class retained in the experiment, weighing 7.3 to 10.8 mg, showed the poorest growth. After three months at a soil water potential of −3.0 MPa, all seedlings in that class had died. Under severe water deficit, the hypocotyls and cotyledons contained numerous collapsed parenchyma cells together with calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains. These observations connect water availability, seed reserves and tissue development during the first year of this species’ life [Ayala-Cordero et al. 2006].
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Synonyms and names in the literature
Cereus beneckei · Cereus beneckei var. farinosus · Cereus farinosus · Echinocactus farinosus · Hertrichocereus beneckei · Lemaireocereus beneckei · Piptanthocereus beneckei · Rathbunia beneckei · Rathbunia beneckei f. cristatus · Stenocereus beneckei f. cristatus [2-WWW]