About Denmoza rhodacantha (Salm-Dyck) Britton & Rose
Denmoza rhodacantha begins life as a globular cactus, and remains in this form for a long time before developing into a column-shaped growth that reaches 0.5 to 1.5 meters (1.5 to 5 feet) tall, with a diameter of 20 to 30 centimeters (8 to 12 inches). This cactus has 30 or more high, wide ribs that measure 1 centimeter (0.4 inches) wide at their base. Its earliest areoles are confluent, and bear brownish-red spines that turn grey as they age. It produces 8 to 10 slightly bent radial spines. The areoles that produce flowers also grow a set of long brown bristles, plus long spines that can reach up to 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) long. The flowers of Denmoza rhodacantha are tubular and scarlet in color. Its fruits are spherical, and hold shiny black-brown seeds that are approximately 1.3 millimeters (0.05 inches) in diameter. Denmoza rhodacantha occurs in northwestern and western Argentina, growing on the eastern slopes and foothills of the Andes in provinces from Mendoza to Salta, at altitudes between 800 and 2800 meters.
