Strophocactus brasiliensis is a species of cactus also known by its synonym Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis. It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests and savanna. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
| Strophocactus brasiliensis | |
|---|---|
_F._Ritter_f._boreominarum_(Rizzini_%26_A.Mattos)_P.J.Braun_%26_Esteves.JPG)
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Strophocactus |
| Species: | S. brasiliensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Strophocactus brasiliensis | |
| Synonyms[3][4] | |
| |
Description
editStrophocactus brasiliensis grows as a shrub. It initially grows upright but is sprawling when mature. It branches freely. The thin, bright green stems are up to 3 cm (1.2 in) across and have 2–7 ribs bearing small areoles with many needle-like spines 2–4 cm (1–2 in) apart.[5][6] These spines are white with a brown tip and are up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long.[6] The white, funnel-shaped flowers are 12–23 cm (5–9 in) long and 11–12 cm (4–5 in) across. They open at night.[5] The spherical, slightly tuberculate fruits are initially green[5][6] and become yellow when ripe.[citation needed] The fruits, which are approximately 8 cm (3 in) in diameter, are covered in clusters of spines and contain a greenish-white pulp. The seeds are large and brownish.[6]
Taxonomy
editStrophocactus brasiliensis was first described, as Acanthocereus brasiliensis, by Britton and Rose in 1920.[2] It was transferred to the genus Pseudoacanthocereus as Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis by Friedrich Ritter in 1979,[7] a placement still accepted by some sources as of February 2021[update].[3] A 2017 molecular phylogenetic study of the Hylocereeae by Korotkova et al. showed that Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis formed a clade with Strophocactus wittii and Pseudoacanthocereus sicariguensis (the only other species placed in Pseudoacanthocereus):[4]
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Accordingly, both species of Pseudoacanthocereus were transferred to Strophocactus.[4]
Distribution and habitat
editStrophocactus brasiliensis is native to Northeast and Southeast Brazil in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais[3] at elevations of 40–700 m (131–2,297 ft).[citation needed] It is found in the eastern Caatinga ecoregion,[4] an area of thorn scrub and seasonally dry forests.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Taylor, N.P.; Machado, M.; Zappi, D.; Braun, P. (2017). "Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T40861A121555507. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T40861A121555507.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Strophocactus brasiliensis (Britton & Rose) S.Arias & N.Korotkova". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis (Britton & Rose) F.Ritter". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
- ^ a b c d Korotkova, Nadja; Borsch, Thomas & Arias, Salvador (2017), "A phylogenetic framework for the Hylocereeae (Cactaceae) and implications for the circumscription of the genera", Phytotaxa, 327 (1): 1–46, doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.327.1.1
- ^ a b c Anderson, Edward F. (2001), "Pseudoacanthocereus", The Cactus Family, Pentland, Oregon: Timber Press, pp. 591–592, ISBN 978-0-88192-498-5
- ^ a b c d Britton, Nathaniel Lord (9 September 1920). The Cactaceae : descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington. p. 125. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Pseudoacanthocereus brasiliensis (Britton & Rose) F.Ritter". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
- ^ Leal, Inara R.; Silva, José Maria Cardoso Da; Tabarelli, Marcelo; Lacher, Thomas E. (2005). "Changing the Course of Biodiversity Conservation in the Caatinga of Northeastern Brazil". Conservation Biology. 19 (3): 701–706. Bibcode:2005ConBi..19..701L. doi:10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00703.x.