Two species and names in the literature
Plants of the World Online accepts two species, Neoraimondia arequipensis and N. herzogiana. The first occurs naturally in Peru, the second in Bolivia. The name Neocardenasia herzogiana, found in older accounts, is a synonym of N. herzogiana. For N. arequipensis, the literature also cites regional treatments with the epithets gigantea and roseiflora. Results from these studies apply to the material identified by their authors. [2-WWW]
Flowers and animals in field studies
In N. herzogiana in Bolivia's Wara Wara valley, fruiting of covered flowers and flowers accessible to animals was compared. Much more frequent fruit formation with unrestricted visitor access links reproduction in this population to animal pollen transfer. Contacts with reproductive organs were recorded in wasps, bees, ants and beetles. [Arzabe et al. 2018, p. 180–186]
In northern Peru, N. arequipensis forms branched, tree-like plants. Observations from Tumbes include squirrels and insects eating plant parts and birds using stems. Field documentation identifies specific animal contacts, while their effects on pollination and seed dispersal remain a separate question. [Alfaro Aguilera et al. 2020, p. 539–541]
Stem extract as a technological material
N. arequipensis extract was also tested as a coagulant in an artificial kaolin suspension. Turbidity reduction, flocculating activity and selected chemical parameters were measured. These are results of a water-treatment experiment, described separately in the biotechnology and applications section. [Choque-Quispe et al. 2020, pp. 91–93]