cactusclassification – Page 25 – THE LAST CACTUS CLASSIFICATION

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016

FEROCACTUS

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
“Fierce Cactus” referring to the size and robustness of the spines in this genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of plants usually massive, solitary or branched, globose flattened to elongated, cylindrical or barrel-shaped, with apex depressed. Ribs well defined, variable in number, areoles rather large, having nectariferous glands. Radial and central spines well separated, the latter generally very strong, sometimes ringed and hooked.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, appearing around the apex, funnel-shaped to bell-shaped, yellow, greenish yellow, orange, red, magenta, pink, purple, rarely white, with floral tube bearing scales and unarmed areoles, pollinated by bees, in particular those specializing in cacti such as Diadasia opuntiae, D. rinconis, Idiomelissodes (Svastra) duplocincta (Apidae), Ashmeadiella opuntiae, Lithurge apicalis (Megachilidae), but also Apis, Augochlorella, Bombus, Halictus,
Lasioglossum, Megachile, Xylocopa…. Fruits globose to elongated, thick-walled, dry or juicy when ripe, with basal or irregular dehiscence, or indehiscent. Seeds variable in size, matt or smooth and shiny, dark brown to black, papillose or reticulate. Dispersion of seeds ensured by lizards and small mammals.
• HABITAT
The genus Ferocactus has a wide geographic distribution between Mexico and the United States, and grows in mostly arid areas, usually on well drained limestone, clayey or gravelly rocky soils, granitic or volcanic slopes, in canyons, on plateaus, in deserts, sandy plains, valleys, alluvial areas, also in grasslands, arroyos, coastal plains and low hills, from sea level (F. herrerae) up to 3000 m in altitude. It is also found on some islands of Baja California, where one of the endemic species is the biggest of all the genus, reaching up to 4 m high (F. diguettii), sometimes on only one island
(F. johnstonianus found in the island Angel de la Guarda). The genus grows mostly among shrubs, together with other cacti, Bromeliads and succulents, and is often the dominant plant of the landscape. The climates can be very different: humid, warm and arid, mountainous and cold.
• DISTRIBUTION
Mexico (Aguascalientes, Baja-California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico D.F., Michoacan, Morelos, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Zacatecas), USA (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah).

Currently 26 recognised species, although some conflicting, plus 14 subspecies:
– Ferocactus acanthodes* (Lem.) Britton & Rose 1922 (= F. cylindraceus)
– Ferocactus acanthodes subsp. eastwoodiae (Benson) J.Lode 2013
– Ferocactus alamosanus* (Britton & Rose) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus alamosanus subsp. reppenhagenii* (G.Unger) N.P.Taylor 1998
– Ferocactus chrysacanthus* (Orcutt) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus chrysacanthus subsp. grandiflorus* (G.E.Lindsay) N.P.Taylor 1998
– Ferocactus diguetii* (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus echidne* (DC.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus emoryi* (Engelm.) Orcutt 1926
– Ferocactus emoryi subsp. rectispinus* (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor 1998
– Ferocactus flavovirens* (Scheidw.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus fordii* (Orcutt) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus fordii subsp. borealis N.P.Taylor 2002
– Ferocactus glaucescens* (DC.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus gracilis* H.E.Gates 1933
– Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus (H.E.Gates) N.P.Taylor 1998
– Ferocactus gracilis subsp. gatesii (G.E.Lindsay) N.P.Taylor 1998
– Ferocactus gracilis subsp. tortulispinus* (H.E.Gates) J.Lode 2013
– Ferocactus haematacanthus* (Salm-Dyck) Bravo ex Backeb. & F.M.Knuth 1935
– Ferocactus herrerae* J.G.Ortega 1927
– Ferocactus histrix* (DC.) G.E.Linds. 1955
– Ferocactus johnstonianus* Britton & Rose 1923
– Ferocactus lapistinus* (Haw.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus latispinus subsp. greenwoodii (Glass) N.P.Taylor 2005
– Ferocactus latispinus subsp. spiralis* (Karw. ex Pfeiffer) N.P.Taylor 1998 (= F. recurvus)
– Ferocactus lindsayi* Bravo 1966
– Ferocactus macrodiscus* (Mart.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus peninsulae* (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus pilosus* (Galeotti ex Salm-Dyck) Werderm. 1933
– Ferocactus pottsii* (Salm-Dyck) Backeb. 1961
– Ferocactus robustus* (Pfeiff.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus santa-maria* Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus schwarzii* G.E.Lindsay 1955
– Ferocactus townsendianus* Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus viridescens* (Torr. & A.Gray) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus viridescens subsp. littoralis (G.E.Linds.) F.Wolf & R.Wolf 2004
– Ferocactus wislizenii* (Engelm.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Ferocactus wislizenii subsp. ajoensis R.Fencl & R.Kalas 2013
– Ferocactus wislizenii subsp. tiburonensis (G.E.Linds.) Pilbeam & Bowdery 2005

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016

FACHEIROA

https://www.cactuspro.com/photos_jpg/39/3975.jpg

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
“Facheiro”, vernacular name of the genus, designating several different columnar species in Brazil, including Arrojadoa and Pilosocereus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of shrubby or treelike plants, densely branched, having a short trunk, with cylindrical ascending stems. Ribs numerous (12-25), low and narrow, areoles close-set. Spines variable, aciculate. Lateral cephalium on reproductive adult branches (except in F. squamosa, without cephalium, which had justified the creation of the genus Zehntnerella), where the flowers are borne .
Flowers nocturnal, self-sterile, tubular, with a short floral tube having overlapping scales and often covered with hairs, pinkish white to greenish white, pink to red, pollinated by bats and sphingideae (Rauh 1958, Backeberg 1966, in Emerson 2007). Fruits globose, translucent, fleshy, with juicy pulp, indehiscent. Seeds tuberculate to almost smooth according to species, covered with mucilage. Chiropterophilous dispersal (by bats).
• HABITAT
The genus Facheiroa grows endemically in the mountains of northern Brazil, from 370 m up to more than 1000 m in altitude, on limestone rock formations (Bambui formation) also named ≪dog teeth≫ (F. estevesii), on steep cliffs, in the catinga, a spiny shrubby typical vegetation, sometimes dense, and constituting the dominant of the landscape. It is found together with many other cacti: Melocactus, Pilosocereus, Quiabentia, Tacinga etc.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Piaui).

Currently 7 recognised species:
– Facheiroa braunii E. Esteves 2004
– Facheiroa cephaliomelana Burning & Brederoo 1975
– Facheiroa estevesii P.J.Braun 1986
– Facheiroa pilosa F.Ritter 1979
– Facheiroa squamosa* (Gurke) P.J.Braun & Esteves 1989 (ex Zehntnerella squamulosa)
– Facheiroa tenebrosa P.J. Bra un & Esteves 1988
– Facheiroa ulei* (Gurke) Werderm. 1933

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016

EULYCHNIA

Autor: Philippi

• ETYMOLOGY
“Absolutely beautiful candelabra” in reference to the typical aspect of the genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of usually treelike, sometimes shrubby plants, with a slow growth rate, densely branched, often with a defined trunk. Stems erect, ascending or prostrate, often sturdy, 9-16 ribs. Large areoles, often woolly or hairy. Spines usually long, sturdy and flexible.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, remaining open at night (probably to increase the chances of fertilization by diversifying pollinators), appearing near the apex, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, white, with a very short, scaly floral tube, covered with bristles of hairs or wool, pollinated by hymenoptera (Alloscirtetica lanosa, Centris nigerrima, Colletes araucariae, Corynura chloris, Caenohalictus pupurisus, Leioproctus bathycyaneus, L. rufiventris, L. semicyaneus, Neofideiia profuga, Spinolieila herbsti, S. rozeni, Trichothurgus dubius), more rarely by diptera (Dischistus transatlanticus) or hummingbirds (Rhodopsis vesper). Fruits globose to turbiniform, fleshy, scaly, hairy or densely woolly, but rarely spiny, with white, juicy and acid pulp. Seeds matt, grey or black, rough to warty, keeping the remnants of the mucilage, scattered by chinchillas (Chinchilla brevicaudata, C. chinchilla, the latter regrettably extinct).
• HABITAT
The genus Eulychnia grows endemically in extremely dry regions of the northern Atacama desert in Chile, near the Pacific coast, from sea level (E. castanea), where it takes advantage of the humidity of coastal fog (camanchaca), and in the mountainous dry valleys, on rocky reliefs, clastic rocky or sandy soils, up to approximately 1200 m in altitude (E. iquiquensis). Some populations are in great danger of extinction, for no apparent reason, but probably due to climatic change. Usually, birds eat fruits and scatter seeds, but there is no regeneration, and as far as we have observed, no young plants are found.
• DISTRIBUTION
Chile (Antofagasta, Arica, Atacama, Coquimbo, Tarapaca), Peru (Arequipa, Moquegua, Tacna).

Currently 8 species to debate:
– Eulychnia acida Phil. 1864
– Eulychnia breviflora* Phil, i8 6 0
– Eulychnia castanea* Phil, i8 6 0
– Eulychnia chorosensis (ex E. acido var. procumbens) P.KIassen 2011
– Eulychnia iquiquensis* (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose 1920
– Eulychnia ritteri Cullman 1958
– Eulychnia saint-pieana F.Ritter 1964
– Eulychnia taltalensis (F. Ritter) Hoxey 2011 (doubtful taxon = ex E. breviflora var. taltalensis)

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016

ESTEVESIA

Autor:P.J.Braun

• ETYMOLOGY
A genus honouring Eddie Esteves Pereira (1939-), Brazilian botanist and specialist of the Cactaceae of this country, and who discovered this taxon (see portrait above, cLinda Borges).
• DESCRIPTION
Monospecific genus of plants with cylindrical stems of medium size (up to 50cm in height and 3cm diameter max.), cereiform, with tap roots, branching from the base; ribs 7-10, obtuse, slightly crenulate. Areoles tomentose, bearing many straight spines (about forty), finely aciculate, pale yellow.
Flowers nocturnal, self-sterile, appearing towards the top of stems, 13.5-17cm long, erect, funnel-shaped, white, with a long floral tube having some spines on fluffy areoles. Fruits egg-shaped to elongated, yellow, fleshy with a juicy pulp, floral remains persistent. Seeds rough, tuberculate, black.
• HABITAT
The monotypic genus Estevesia grows at approximately 790 m in altitude, in the Brazilian campo cerrado, a type of shrubby savannah, on granitic outcrops, among grasses and bushes, together with Bromeliads (Bromelia, Dyckla, Aechmea), as well as Epiphyllum phyllanthus.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Goias).

Currently only one recognised species:
– Estevesia alex-bragai P.J.Braun & Esteves 2009

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016

ESPOSTOOPSIS

http://www.succseed.com/shop/6903/art3/1141729/1141729-origpic-b331fd.jpg

Autor: Buxbaum

• ETYMOLOGY
“Similar to Espostoa”, referring to the similarities of this genus with Espostoa.
• DESCRIPTION
Monospecific genus of shrubby plants with erect, columnar stems branching from the base, covered with white hairs protecting the epidermis. Ribs low, numerous (22-28), with hairy areoles. 2-3 aciculate central spines, 10 radial spines, short and fine, hidden in the hairs of areoles. Lateral cephalium on the adult and reproductive stems, densely woolly, in which appear flowers.
Flowers nocturnal, self-sterile, shortly tubular to bell-shaped, whitish, pollinated by bats. Fruits egg-shaped, fleshy, indehiscent, pale pink, keeping the remains of the dried perianth. Seeds rough, tuberculate, shiny, brown. Dispersion assured by birds and bats.
• HABITAT
The monotypic genus Espostoopsis is endemic to the state of Bahia (Brazil), and grows in the caatinga, Brazilian spiny dry forest, in the barren hills of the Northeast, between 250 m and 750 m in altitude, among rocks, in crevices, forming dense but disjunct populations forming the dominant plant of the landscape. The genus grows north of Bahia on quartzic rocky outcrops, while the populations of the South present minor morphological differences and are found on gneissic inselbergs.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (N. Bahia).

Currently only one recognised species:
– Espostoopsis dybowskii* (Gosselin) Buxb. 1968

References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" -  ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)