Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Micranthocereus | image = Micranthocereus_polyanteus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cereeae | subtribe = Cereinae | genus = '''Micranthocereus''' | authority = Backeberg (1938) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A genus of Brazilian columnar cacti characterized by small flowers and often colorful cephaliums. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''mikros''..."

2026-04-10T12:30:23Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Micranthocereus | image = Micranthocereus_polyanteus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cereeae | subtribe = Cereinae | genus = '''Micranthocereus''' | authority = Backeberg (1938) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A genus of Brazilian columnar cacti characterized by small flowers and often colorful cephaliums. }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek ''mikros''..."

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{{Taxobox
| name = Micranthocereus
| image = Micranthocereus_polyanteus.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Cereeae]]
| subtribe = [[Cereinae]]
| genus = '''Micranthocereus'''
| authority = Backeberg (1938)
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A genus of Brazilian columnar cacti characterized by small flowers and often colorful cephaliums.
}}

== Etymology ==
The name is derived from the Greek ''mikros'' (small) and ''anthos'' (flower), combined with ''Cereus'', referring to the small size of the flowers.

== Description ==
'''Micranthocereus''' consists of small-to-medium-sized columnar cacti, which can be solitary or branch from the base.
* '''Stems''': Cylindrical, typically 50 cm to 1 meter tall, but some species remain much smaller.
* '''Areoles and Spines''': Areoles are very close together, often bearing a dense covering of golden, white, or reddish spines.
* '''Cephalium''': Many species develop a lateral (side) cephalium made of wool and bristles, from which the flowers emerge.
* '''Flowers''': Diurnal or nocturnal (depending on the species), small, tubular, and brightly colored (pink, purple, orange, or white). They are designed to attract hummingbirds or bats.
* '''Fruits''': Globose, berry-like, and fleshy. They are often colorful and indehiscent (do not split).
* '''Seeds''': Small, dark brown to black.

== Habitat ==
The genus is specialized for growing on rocky outcrops (campos rupestres) and crystalline rocks in the dry interior of Northeastern Brazil.

== Distribution ==
* '''Brazil''': Endemic to the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais.

== Species and Subspecies List ==
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015), the genus includes 10 recognized species:

* [[Micranthocereus albicephalus]]
* [[Micranthocereus auriazureus]]
* [[Micranthocereus dolichospermaticus]]
* [[Micranthocereus estevesii]]
** [[Micranthocereus estevesii subsp. grandiflorus]]
* [[Micranthocereus flaviflorus]]
** [[Micranthocereus flaviflorus subsp. densiflorus]]
* [[Micranthocereus hofackerianus]]
* [[Micranthocereus polyanteus]]
** [[Micranthocereus polyanteus subsp. alvinii]]
* [[Micranthocereus purpureus]]
* [[Micranthocereus streckeri]]
* [[Micranthocereus violaciflorus]]

== Taxonomy ==
Lodé (2015) maintains ''Micranthocereus'' as a distinct genus within the subtribe '''Cereinae'''. He includes species that were previously placed in ''Austrocephalocereus'' and ''Siccobaccatus'', based on molecular evidence and flower/seed morphology.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cereeae]]
[[Category:Cereinae]]

Micranthocereus - Revision history