cactusclassification – Page 36 – THE LAST CACTUS CLASSIFICATION

April 14, 2016April 19, 2016

AUSTROCACTUS

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
“Cactus of the South, southern cactus”, because this genus is only found in southern South America.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of small low-growing plants, solitary or branching at the base, of slow growth rate, stems tender and fleshy, with low ribs divided Into tubercles. Spines are straight or hooked.
Flowers diurnal, autosterile, subapical or lateral, bell-shaped, pollinated by bees. Fruits spherical to oblong, with
irreguiar or basal dehiscence, floral remains persistent. Seeds more or less ovate, tuberculate, wrinkled.
• HABITAT
The genus Austrocactus grows In Patagonia between Chile and Argentina, practically from sea level up to 4000 m in
altitude, in full sun or among bushes, on stony or sandy soils, and is very polymorphic.
• DISTRIBUTION
Argentina (Chubut, La Pampa, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz), Chile (Maule, Santiago).

Currently 7 recognised species:
– Austrocactus bertinii* (Cels ex Herincq) Britton & Rose 1922 (= A. patagonicus)
– Austrocactus coxii* (K.Schum.) Backeb. 1959
– Austrocactus ferrari R.Kiesling, E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes 2012
– Austrocactus hibernus F.Ritter 1963
– Austrocactus longicarpus E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes 2014
– Austrocactus philippii* (Regel & Schmidt) Buxbaum 1963
– Austrocactus spiniflorus (Phil.) F.Ritter 1963

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

April 14, 2016April 19, 2016

ASTROPHYTUM

Autor: Lemaire

• ETYMOLOGY
“Star plant” because of the typical shape of some species within the genus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of usually solitary, highly variable plants, flattened, globose or elongated to shortly columnar, mostly covered with flaky scales (trichomes), some with spiny scales, with well defined ribs or with very elongated tubercles (A. caputmedusae). Spines present or absent depending on the species. Flowers diurnal, self sterile, apical, funnel-shaped, yellow, some species have a red centre, pollinated by bees. Fruits globose with persistant scales, dehiscent when ripe. Seeds brown, helmet-shaped, light. Seed dispersal by hydrochory (streaming water) or myrmecochory (by ants).
The genus is subdivided into three synthetic sub-genera:
– Astrophytum – includes species with yellow flowers and fruits having an apical dehiscence (A. myriostigma, A.
ornatum).
– Neoastrophytum – includes species with bicoloured flowers (red or orange centre) and fruits with a basal
dehiscence or irregular and indehiscent (A. asterias, A. capricorne, A. coahuilense).
– Stigmatodactylus – Includes the only tuberculate species of the genus (A. caput-medusae).
• HABITAT
The genus Astrophytum grows from 100 m (A. caput-medusae) up to 2000 m in altitude, in a very scattered habitat
in the desert of Chihuahua, on the central plateau of Mexico and the southern plains of Texas, United States,
depending on the species, often in the shade among grasses and bushes, in the matorral, (vegetation association of
herbaceous plants, succulents and shrubs) on rocky grounds, in cracks, on steep slopes, limestone mounds, gravel
and clay alluvial soils, bed of dry lakes or in ravines of calcareous rocks, together with other Cactaceae and Bromeliads (Hechtia spp.). The xerophytic vegetation allows species to take advantage of a good period of sunshine. In this region, the annual temperature does not vary much, but the rainfall is very irregular. The winter is characterized by high thermal amplitudes (differences of temperature between day and night), and a few frosty nights are not uncommon.
• DISTRIBUTION
Mexico (Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Nuevo-León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaullpas, Zacatecas), USA (Texas).

Currently 6 recognised species + 2 subspecies:
– Astrophytum asterias* (Zuccarini) Lemaire 1868
– Astrophytum capricorne* (A.Dietr.) Britton & Rose 1922
– Astrophytum caput-medusae* (Velasco & Nevarez) Hunt 2003
– Astrophytum coahuilense (H.Moeller) K.Kayser 1932
– Astrophytum myriostigma* Lemaire 1839
– Astrophytum myriostigma subsp. potosinum (H.Moeller) K.Kayser 1932
– Astrophytum myriostigma subsp. tulense K.Kayser 1932
– Astrophytum ornatum* (DC.) Britton & Rose 1922

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

April 14, 2016April 19, 2016

ARTHROCEREUS

Autor: Berger

• ETYMOLOGY
“Articulated wax candle” because the first described species (the old type, C. microsphaericus, – Schlumbergera
microsphaerica) has segmented stems, but this Is not the case for the taxa of Arthrocereus.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of solitary or low shrubby plants, with cylindrical stems, not segmented, erected or spreading. Areoles small, close-set, spines usually many and fine, bristle-like.
Flowers nocturnal, subapical with a long funnel-shaped floral tube, white, pinkish white to lilac pink, pollinated by moths (Sphingideae). Fruits spherical, indehiscent, floral remains persistent. Seeds egg-shaped, shiny, blackish brown. Dispersal provided by bats, other small terrestrial mammals and birds.
• HABITAT
The genus Arthrocereus grows between 450 and 1500 m in altitude, in dry savannas and rocky areas, in the shade of shrubs or among grasses, sometimes on ferruginous soils, often near more or less temporary streams (pers. obs. 1986).
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais).

Currently 4 recognised species + 2 subspecies:
– Arthrocereus glaziovii* (K.Schum.) N.P.Taylor & Zappi 1991
– Arthrocereus melanurus (K.Schum.) Diers, P.J.Braun & Esteves 1987
– Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. magnus N.P.Taylor & Zappi 1997
– Arthrocereus melanurus subsp. estevesii (Diers & P.J.Braun) Braun & Esteves 1995
– Arthrocereus rondonianus* Backeb. & Voli 1935
– Arthrocereus spinosissimus* (Buining & Brederoo) F.Ritter 1979

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

April 14, 2016April 19, 2016

ARROJADOA

Autor: Britton & Rose

• ETYMOLOGY
A genus dedicated to Dr. Miguel Arrojado Lisboa (1872-1932), superintendent of the Brazilian Railroads at the time Britton & Rose described the genus in his honor in 1920. His portrait is unknown, the photo above represents an old Brazilian station that bears his name (©Newton Viana Leite).
• DESCRIPTION
Genus with solitary or branched stems appearing from the base, more or less slender, erect or pendulous, sometimes rhizomatous. Areoles usually close each other, spines rather small, often setose.
Flowers diurnal, self sterile, tubular, apical, naked, emerging from an annular cephalium, red, pink, purple, yellow, sometimes white, pollinated by hummingbirds (Chlorostilbon lucidus, Phaethornis pretrei, Eupetomena macroura).
Fruits spherical to pyrlform, juicy, indehiscent. Seeds shiny, black, tuberculate. Dispersal is essentially ornithophilous.
• HABITAT
The genus Arrojadoa grows in the caatinga, the spiny dry forest of the northeastern (nordeste) of Brazil, from 270 m up to approximately 1100 m in altitude, among bushes which serve as support for the larger species of the genus, in the shade under shrubs, on soils slightly loamy and sandy, quartz gravel or manganesiferous altered soils, together with other Cactaceae as well as terrestrial bromeliads.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Piaui).

Currently 9 recognised species + three subspecies:
– Arrojadoa x albiflora Buining & Brederoo 1975 (= A. dinae x A. rhodantha)
– Arrojadoa beateae P.J.Braun & Esteves 1989 (= A. heimenii)
– Arrojadoa dinae Buining & Brederoo 1973
– Arrojadoa eriocaulis Buining & Brederoo 1973
– Arrojadoa eriocaulis subsp. nana (P.J.Braun & Esteves) P.J.Braun & Esteves 1995
– Arrojadoa horstiana P.J.Braun & G.Heimen 1981
– Arrojadoa marylanae Soares Filho & Machado 2003
– Arrojadoa multiflora Ritter 1979
– Arrojadoa penicillata* (Gürke) Britton & Rose 1920
– Arrojadoa rhodantha* (Gürke) Britton & Rose 1920
– Arrojadoa rhodantha subsp. aureispina (Buining & Brederoo) P.J.Braun & Esteves 1995
– Arrojadoa rhodantha subsp. reflexa P. J. Braun 1984

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

April 14, 2016April 19, 2016

ARMATOCEREUS

http://iucnredlist-photos.s3.amazonaws.com/medium/1329774231.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJIJQNN2N2SMHLZJA&Expires=1489932625&Signature=Av3PpBmAfTxlY%2F9FpMmAPwbkZIk%3D

Autor: Backeberg

• ETYMOLOGY
“Armed Wax candle” referring to the many long spines some species in the genus have.
• DESCRIPTION
A genus of branched shrubs or treelike plants reaching up to 12 m high. Stems columnar, constricted, segmented with 3-16 strongly developed ribs. Spines sturdy, but sometimes absent.
Flowers nocturnal, self sterile, rather large, tubular to funnel-shaped, with hairy and spiny floral tube, white, rarely
red, pollinated by bats (Glossophaga soricina, Lonchophylla hesperia). Fruits fleshy, edible, losing their spines when
ripe, with a white pulp. Seeds large, rather irregular, ovoid (egg-shaped) to reniform (kidney-shaped), warty, black.
• HABITAT
The genus Armatocereus grows among boulders on hills, in valleys, in deep quebradas (ravines), in arid zones
sometimes presenting a surrounding shrubby vegetation, from sea level up to 3300 m in altitude.
• DISTRIBUTION
Colombia (Dagua), Ecuador (Azuay, Chimborazo, Catamayo, Guayaquil, Huigra, Isla Puna, Loja, Rio Chanchán), Peru (Amazonas, Ancash, Arequipa, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, lea, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Matucana, Moquegua, Piura, Tumbes, also along the banks of Rio Majes, Rio Marañon and Rio Nazca).

Currently 10 recognised species (+ 2 subspecies):
– Armatocereus brevispinus J.E.Madsen 1989
– Armatocereus cartwrightianus (Britton & Rose) Backeb. ex. A.W.Hill 1938
– Armatocereus godingianus* (Britton & Rose) Backeb. ex Salisbury 1947
– Armatocereus laetus* (Kunth) Backeberg ex A.W.Hill 1938
– Armatocereus mataranus F.Ritter 1966
– Armatocereus mataranus subsp. ancashensis (F.Ritter) Ostolaza 1998
– Armatocereus matucanensls* Backeb. ex A.w. Hill 1938
– Armatocereus ollgogonus Rauh & Backeb. 1957
– Armatocereus procerus Rauh & Backeb. 1957
– Armatocereus rauhii Backeb. 1957
– Armatocereus rauhii subsp. balsasensis (F.Ritter) Ostolaza 1998
– Armatocereus riomajensis Rauh & Backeb. 1957

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