Armatocereus matucanensis

Armatocereus matucanensis is a species of Armatocereus from Ecuador and Peru.

Description
Armatocereus matucanensis grows like a tree, branches out from the base in particular and reaches heights of growth of up to 6 metres. A strong trunk is usually formed. The upright, often lump-forming, grey-green, bluish-tinted shoots are divided into 30 to 50 cm long segments with a diameter of 7 to 13 cm. There are five to eight ribs separated by shallow furrows. The primrose, angular, flattened and slightly twisted brown spines later turn gray and have a darker tip. The one to four central spines have a length of three to seven centimeters. The 8 to 14 spread radial spines are 5 to 15 mm long.

The narrow, funnel-shaped, white flowers stand out horizontally or are erect. They are up to 10 cm long and have a diameter of 6 cm. The ovoid fruits are green. They are 8 to 13 cm long.

Distribution
Armatocereus matucanensis is found in Ecuador in the province of Loja and the Peruvian region of Lima.

Taxonomy
The first description was in 1938 by Arthur William Hill. A nomenclature synonym is Lemaireocereus matucanensis (Backeb. ex A.W.Hill) W.T.Marshall (1941).