Maihuenia
| Maihuenia | |
|---|---|
| File:Maihuenia patagonica.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Maihuenioideae |
| Tribe | |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Maihuenia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Maihuenia is the sole genus in the subfamily Maihuenioideae. |
Etymology
The name is derived from "maihuén," the local Mapuche name for these plants in Chile and Argentina.
Description
Maihuenia consists of low-growing, cushion-forming cacti that look more like succulents than traditional cacti.
- Stems: Short, cylindrical or globose, branching profusely to form dense mats or mounds up to 50 cm wide.
- Leaves: Persistent, small, and fleshy (terete). Unlike the ephemeral leaves of Opuntia, these stay on the plant for a long time.
- Spines: Typically 3 per areole, with the central one being longer and stronger. They are stiff and white to brownish.
- Flowers: Diurnal, appearing at the tips of the stems. They are relatively large, bell-shaped, and usually pale yellow or white.
- Fruits: Globose to club-shaped, fleshy, and greenish-yellow. They are often edible and have a slightly acidic taste.
- Seeds: Large, black, and shiny, with a very hard coat.
Habitat
These are the southernmost cacti in the world. They grow in the cold, wind-swept steppes of Patagonia and the high Andes, often covered by snow in winter. They are adapted to rocky, well-drained soils and extreme cold (down to -20°C).
Distribution
- Argentina & Chile: Southern regions (Patagonia) and high Andean passes.
Species
Following the classification of Lodé (2015), the genus includes only 2 recognized species:
Taxonomy
Maihuenia occupies a unique evolutionary position. Lodé (2015) places it in its own subfamily, Maihuenioideae, as molecular data shows it is not closely related to either the Pereskioideae or the Opuntioideae. It is considered a relictual lineage that has survived since the early diversification of the cactus family.
