Hatiora herminiae is a species of flowering plant in the tribe Rhipsalideae, family Cactaceae. It grows as an epiphyte in cloud forests in Southeast Brazil.

Hatiora herminiae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Hatiora
Species:
H. herminiae
Binomial name
Hatiora herminiae
(Porto & A.Cast.) Backeb. ex Barthlott[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Hariota herminiae Porto & A.Cast.
  • Rhipsalis herminiae (Porto & A.Cast.) Kimnach

Description edit

Hatiora herminiae is an epiphyte, growing up to about 30 cm (12 in) high, either upright or arching over. The stems are circular in cross-section, not ribbed, and are composed of segments 2–5 cm (0.8–2.0 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. Branches occur at the ends of segments. Pink to magenta flowers are borne from areoles at the ends of stems, and are up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long, opening to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) across. Olive green berries follow the flowers.[3]

Taxonomy edit

The species was first described in 1940 by Paulo Campos Porto [es] and Alberto Castellanos [es], as Hariota herminiae. Confusion over the status of the genus name Hariota later led to its replacement by the anagram Hatiora.[4] Like many species in the Rhipsalideae, it has also been placed in the genus Rhipsalis.[2] Molecular phylogenetic studies have firmly placed it in Hatiora.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat edit

Hatiora herminiae is endemic to Southeast Brazil, where it is found in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.[2][1] It grows as an epiphyte, particularly on Araucaria, in cloud forests in the Serra da Mantiqueira at elevations of around 1,500–2,000 m (4,900–6,600 ft).[1][3]

Conservation edit

When assessed in 2010, it was considered to be endangered, the main threat being collection for its attractive flowers, but it was also threatened by declines in habitat.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Taylor, N.P. & Zappi, D. (2013), "Hatiora herminiae", The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013, International Union for Conservation of Nature, doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152047A591015.en {{citation}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d "Hatiora herminiae (Porto & A.Cast.) Backeb. ex Barthlott", Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, retrieved 2019-07-11
  3. ^ a b Anderson, Edward F. (2001), The Cactus Family, Pentland, Oregon: Timber Press, ISBN 978-0-88192-498-5, p. 376
  4. ^ "Plant Name Details for Hatiora herminiae (Porto & A.Cast.) Backeb. ex Barthlott", The International Plant Names Index, retrieved 2019-07-11
  5. ^ Calvente, Alice; Zappi, Daniela C.; Forest, Félix & Lohmann, Lúcia G. (2011), "Molecular phylogeny of tribe Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae) and taxonomic implications for Schlumbergera and Hatiora", Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 58 (3): 456–468, doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.01.001, PMID 21236350
  6. ^ Korotkova, Nadja; Borsch, Thomas; Quandt, Dietmar; Taylor, Nigel P.; Müller, Kai F. & Barthlott, Wilhelm (2011), "What does it take to resolve relationships and to identify species with molecular markers? An example from the epiphytic Rhipsalideae (Cactaceae)", American Journal of Botany, 98 (9): 1549–1572, doi:10.3732/ajb.1000502, PMID 21900612