Golden torch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Golden torch |
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| S. spachiana flower | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Soehrensia
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| Species: |
spachiana
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| Synonyms | |
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Cereus spachianus Lem. |
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The Soehrensia spachiana, often called the golden torch cactus, is a cool type of cactus that comes from South America. For many years, people knew it as Trichocereus spachianus. This cactus is popular around the world. You can grow it in pots or in rock gardens. It grows tall and straight, like a column. Its body is a bright lime-green color and has golden spines that are about 1 to 2 centimeters long.
Contents
What the Golden Torch Cactus Looks Like
The golden torch cactus grows tall and straight, like a column. It can reach up to 2 meters (about 7 feet) high. Its body is about 5 to 6 centimeters (2 to 2.5 inches) wide. New branches grow from the bottom of the plant.
Each column has 10 to 15 rounded ridges, like ribs. The large areoles (small, cushion-like spots where spines grow) are about 1 centimeter apart. These areoles have wavy yellow hairs. The spines start as red-yellow and turn white as they get older. The main spine in the middle is about 1 to 2 centimeters long. Around it are 8 to 10 smaller spines, which are about 0.4 to 1 centimeter long.
The flowers are white and quite large. They are about 15 centimeters (6 inches) across and 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. Part of the flower is an 8-centimeter long tube. In places like North America, these flowers usually appear in June or July. They open up at night.
How the Cactus Got Its Name
A French plant expert named Charles Antoine Lemaire first described this cactus in 1839. He named it Cereus spachianus to honor another person from his country, Édouard Spach. The first plant used to describe the species was found in Argentina, but exactly where is not clear.
Over the years, scientists have changed the name of this cactus a few times. This happens when they learn more about how plants are related. For a long time, it was known as Trichocereus spachianus. Today, it is called Soehrensia spachiana.
Where the Cactus Lives
The Soehrensia spachiana cactus is originally from western Argentina. This means it naturally grows there. However, in South Africa, it is considered a "declared weed." This means it grows too easily there and can cause problems for local plants.
See also
In Spanish: Echinopsis spachiana para niños
