Autor: Ritter
• ETYMOLOGY
“Floriferous”, emphasizing the abundant flowering of the genus.
• DESCRIPTION
Monotypic genus of shortly columnar shrubby plants, with stems semi erect to decumbent, branching from the base. 13-18 ribs rounded, areoles regularly arranged, felted, but becoming glabrous with time. Spines short and aciculate.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, appearing near the apex, with a floral tube pinkish red, or purple, bearing tiny scales, with whitish tepals, probably pollinated by hummingbirds. Fruits globose, reddish, covered with a bluish wax. Seeds tiny, dark brown, with marginal stripes.
• HABITAT
The monotypic genus Floribunda grows endemically in the north-central Minas Gerais in Brazil, between 800 m and 1000 m in altitude, on the western hillside of Serra Geral, in the campo rupestre (in Brazil, mountainous subtropical savanna), on cliffs and ledges of crystalline rocks, among shrubby vegetation. This is an extremely rare plant in its habitat.
• DISTRIBUTION
Brazil (Minas Gerais).
Currently only one recognised species:
– Floribunda pusilliflora Ritter 1979
References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" - ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)