Submitted by: Jim Tanner

Matucana is a genus of cacti, containing approximately 20 species of mostly globular plants. The genus is only known from Peru, mostly along the Marañón River. Named after the small Peruvian town 50 miles east of Lima, where they grow at 6,000-13,000 feet

Overall, Matucana species are globular or cylindrical plants with shallow ribs and moderate to light spination. The largest maxing out at around 30 inches (75cm), most remain under a foot (30cm) in height. Ribs are distinctly tuberculate and the plant bodies are typically bright green. The flowers of Matucana are quite distinctive and showy. Most are bilateral and stand up above the plant on tall floral tubes that are reminiscent of “cowl vents” on a ship. (The vents that cartoon characters are always jumping into.) Most flowers are red, but may be orange, pink, yellow, or white. Fruits are juicy and round.

Oroya is a genus of cacti, originating from Peru. The name comes from the Peruvian town of La Oroya where the first plants were discovered.
Oroya species are solitary with a globular form and many ribs with usually-dense pectinate spines. Usually up to 13 inches (32 cm) high, and 9 inches (22 cm) in diameter.
Small flowers (up to 1 cm in diameter) grow along a ring near the top of the plant. The flowers are yellow, but their stems are often pink or red. All the species are difficult to grow, and are often encountered grafted.

LATIN LOOKUP – Loquerisne Latine (Do you speak Latin)?

The meanings of latin plant names on this page – from http://davesgarden.com/guides/botanary/

• aureiflora [awr-ee-ih-FLOR-uh]
  From the Latin aureus (yellow) and florus (flowered).
• formosa [for-MOH-suh]
  Beautiful.
• grandiflora [gran-dih-FLOR-uh]
  With large flowers.
• intertexta [in-ter-TEKS-tuh]
  Intertwined.
• Matucana [mat-oo-KAN-uh]
  Named for the Pervuian city of the same name.
• Oroya [or-ROY-uh]
  Named for La Oroya, near Lima (Peru).
• peruviana [per-u-vee-AN-uh]
  Of or from Peru.