Weingartia
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Weingartia | |
|---|---|
| File:Weingartia neocumingii.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Rebutiinae |
| Genus | Weingartia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with molecular insights from Ritz et al. (2007), Mosti et al. (2011), and Schlumpberger & Renner (2012). The genus includes taxa formerly placed in Sulcorebutia and Cintia. |
Etymology
Named in honour of Wilhelm Weingart (1856–1936), German botanist and cactus specialist.
Description
Weingartia is a genus of small globose to short columnar cacti, often with napiform roots.
- Habit: Globose with flattened apex; sometimes elongating up to ~30 cm; solitary or clustering.
- Roots: Often napiform (turnip-shaped).
- Ribs: Strongly tuberculate; tubercles often spirally arranged.
- Areoles: Close to the apex, strongly woolly.
- Spines: Radial spines spreading, stiff, subulate; sometimes pectinate, interlaced or appressed; central spines stronger.
- Flowers: Diurnal, often remaining open at night; yellow, orange, red, purple or bicoloured; usually self-sterile.
- Pollination: Mainly by bees.
- Fruits: Small, spherical to obovoid; initially juicy, later drying; basally dehiscent; floral remains persistent.
- Seeds: Variable, black, dull to slightly shiny; ovate to helmet-shaped, with prominent hilum.
Habitat
High-altitude Andean environments:
- rocky soils, slopes and crevices
- highland grasslands and plateaus
- often partially buried (mimetic growth)
- frequently associated with mosses and lichens
Altitude range: approximately 1600–3600 m.
Distribution
South America:
- Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Cochabamba, Potosí, Santa Cruz, Tarija)
- Argentina (Jujuy)
Taxonomy
The genus is highly complex and has undergone major reinterpretation.
Key points:
- Strong morphological overlap between Weingartia and Sulcorebutia
- Molecular studies show no clear separation between these groups
- Cintia is also embedded within the same lineage
Current interpretation:
- Weingartia sensu lato includes:
* Sulcorebutia * Cintia
The taxa form a single, genetically cohesive group despite high morphological variability.
Species
Following Joël Lodé (2015), including taxa formerly placed in Sulcorebutia and Cintia.
- Weingartia caineana
- Weingartia canigueralii
- Weingartia cantargalloensis
- Weingartia caracarensis
- Weingartia cardenasiana
- Weingartia fischeriana
- Weingartia frankiana
- Weingartia frey-juckeri
- Weingartia gemmae
- Weingartia glomeriseta
- Weingartia heliosoides
- Weingartia inflexiseta
- Weingartia juckeri
Notes
- One of the most taxonomically complex genera in Cactaceae.
- Includes taxa formerly treated as separate genera (Sulcorebutia, Cintia).
- Morphological traits such as spine length and flower colour are highly variable and unreliable.
- Ongoing molecular studies continue to refine species limits.
