Harrisia taetra is a species of cactus found in Cuba.
Harrisia taetra | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Genus: | Harrisia |
Species: | H. taetra
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Binomial name | |
Harrisia taetra Areces
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Description
editHarrisia taetra grows like a shrub and reaches heights of 1 to 2.5 meters. The somewhat articulated, cylindrical shoots have a diameter of 6.5 to 8 centimeters and are 0.3 to 1 meter long. There are eight to ten ribs. The stiff, needle-like, straight thorns, initially almost black, later turn whitish yellow. The two to three central spines are 4 to 9 centimeters long. The six to nine marginal spines are 0.7 to 4.4 centimeters long.
The flowers reach a length of 16.5 to 20 centimeters and a diameter of 12 to 15 centimeters. The light to golden yellow, broadly ovoid to somewhat spherical fruits are smooth and covered with a few tiny scales. They have a diameter of 3.8 to 7.2 centimeters and reach a length of 3.5 to 7.3 centimeters.[1]
Distribution
editHarrisia taetra is widespread in Cuba in the Pinar del Río province on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.
Taxonomy
editThe first description was made in 1981 by L. Alberto E. Areces-Mallea. The specific epithet taetra means 'hideous, hideous, ugly, repulsive'.
References
edit- ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 340. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
External links
edit- Media related to Harrisia taetra at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Harrisia taetra at Wikispecies