Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Maihueniopsis | image = Maihueniopsis_darwinii.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Opuntioideae | tribe = Tephrocacteae | genus = '''Maihueniopsis''' | authority = Spegazzini (1925) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé treats Maihueniopsis as a distinct genus within the tribe Tephrocacteae. }} == Etymology == The name literally means "resembling Maihuenia," referring to its cushion-like growth hab..."

2026-04-09T15:32:49Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Maihueniopsis | image = Maihueniopsis_darwinii.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Opuntioideae | tribe = Tephrocacteae | genus = '''Maihueniopsis''' | authority = Spegazzini (1925) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé treats Maihueniopsis as a distinct genus within the tribe Tephrocacteae. }} == Etymology == The name literally means "resembling Maihuenia," referring to its cushion-like growth hab..."

New page

{{Taxobox
| name = Maihueniopsis
| image = Maihueniopsis_darwinii.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Opuntioideae]]
| tribe = [[Tephrocacteae]]
| genus = '''Maihueniopsis'''
| authority = Spegazzini (1925)
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé treats Maihueniopsis as a distinct genus within the tribe Tephrocacteae.
}}

== Etymology ==
The name literally means "resembling Maihuenia," referring to its cushion-like growth habit which superficially looks like the genus ''Maihuenia'', though they belong to different subfamilies.

== Description ==
'''Maihueniopsis''' consists of low-growing, geophytic or cushion-forming cacti. They are highly specialized for high-altitude or cold-desert environments.
* '''Stems''': Segmented into small, globose, ovoid, or slightly flattened joints. The segments are often easily detached.
* '''Spines''': Variable; some species have strong, flattened, or needle-like spines, while others are nearly spineless. Glochids (tiny barbed bristles) are present but often deeply embedded in the areoles.
* '''Leaves''': Minute and ephemeral (falling off quickly), typical for the subfamily.
* '''Flowers''': Diurnal, appearing at the tips of the segments. They are relatively large and usually yellow, orange, or reddish.
* '''Fruits''': Globose to urceolate (urn-shaped), fleshy or dry, often containing a few large seeds.
* '''Seeds''': Large, covered with a pale, hard aril (typical for Opuntioideae), but with a specific shape characteristic of this genus.

== Habitat ==
The genus is found in the high Andes (Puna) and the cold steppes of Patagonia. They grow in very well-drained, rocky or sandy soils, often at altitudes between 2000 m and 4500 m.

== Distribution ==
* '''South America''': Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

== Species and Subspecies ==
Following Lodé (2015), the genus includes 18 recognized species:

* [[Maihueniopsis archiconoidea]]
* [[Maihueniopsis atacamensis]]
* [[Maihueniopsis boliviana]]
* [[Maihueniopsis camachoi]]
* [[Maihueniopsis clavarioides]]
* [[Maihueniopsis conoidea]]
* [[Maihueniopsis darwinii]]
* [[Maihueniopsis domeykoensis]]
* [[Maihueniopsis glomerata]]
* [[Maihueniopsis grandiflora]]
* [[Maihueniopsis hickenii]]
* [[Maihueniopsis molfinoi]] (Type species)
* [[Maihueniopsis molinensis]]
* [[Maihueniopsis nigra]]
* [[Maihueniopsis ovata]]
* [[Maihueniopsis platyacantha]]
* [[Maihueniopsis rahmeri]]
* [[Maihueniopsis subterranea]]
** [[Maihueniopsis subterranea subsp. pulcherrima]]
* [[Maihueniopsis tarapacana]]

== Taxonomy ==
The circumscription of ''Maihueniopsis'' has been subject to much debate. Lodé maintains it as a separate genus, including some species that others place in ''Puna'' or ''Cumulopuntia''. He emphasizes the importance of seed morphology and the specific biogeography of the Tephrocacteae tribe.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Opuntioideae]]
[[Category:Tephrocacteae]]

Maihueniopsis - Revision history