Eriocephala: Difference between revisions
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Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Eriocephala | image = Eriocephala_leninghausii.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Notocacteae | genus = '''Eriocephala''' | authority = Backeberg (1938) | synonymy = ''Eriocactus'' Backeb. (1942) | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé reinstates Eriocephala as the priority name over Eriocactus for this group within Notocacteae. }} == Etymology == The name comes from the Greek '..." |
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| authority = Backeberg (1938) | | authority = Backeberg (1938) | ||
| synonymy = ''Eriocactus'' Backeb. (1942) | | synonymy = ''Eriocactus'' Backeb. (1942) | ||
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Lodé reinstates Eriocephala as the | | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015/2019). Lodé reinstates Eriocephala as the legitimate name over Eriocactus according to ICN Art. 53, ex. 10. | ||
}} | }} | ||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The name | The name is derived from the Greek ''erion'' (wool) and ''kephale'' (head), referring to the abundant woolly covering at the apex of the plants[cite: 1016]. | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
'''Eriocephala''' | '''Eriocephala''' comprises cacti that often become massive and columnar with age[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Stems:''' | * '''Stems:''' Characterized by a typical heliotropic apex, which is usually inclined and densely woolly[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Spines:''' Generally fine, | * '''Ribs:''' Numerous and well-defined; areoles are set close to each other[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Flowers:''' Diurnal, | * '''Spines:''' Generally fine, flexible, and numerous, lacking hooks[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Fruits:''' | * '''Flowers:''' Diurnal, widely funnel-shaped to bell-shaped[cite: 1016]. The floral tube is covered with brown or pale yellow wool, and the stigma lobes are always yellow (distinguishing them from ''Notocactus'' s.s., which usually has red stigmas)[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Seeds:''' | * '''Fruits:''' Spherical and densely covered with wool and bristles[cite: 1016]. They are basally dehiscent when dry, releasing seeds freely[cite: 1016]. | ||
* '''Seeds:''' Very small, helmet or hat-shaped, finely warty and striate[cite: 1016]. Dispersal is primarily performed by ants[cite: 1016]. | |||
== Habitat == | == Habitat == | ||
Species grow in humid subtropical deciduous forests, among bushes, or on rocky slopes and cliffs[cite: 1017]. They are found on granitic, basaltic, or sandstone substrates at altitudes ranging from 500 m to 2200 m[cite: 1017]. The plants show a strong tendency toward heliotropism[cite: 1017]. | |||
== Distribution == | == Distribution == | ||
* '''South America:''' | * '''South America:''' Argentina (Misiones), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay, and Uruguay[cite: 1017]. | ||
== Species == | == Species == | ||
Following Lodé | Following Lodé's final classification, the genus includes 6 recognized species[cite: 1017]: | ||
* [[Eriocephala claviceps]] | * [[Eriocephala claviceps]] [cite: 1017] | ||
* [[Eriocephala lenninghausii]] [cite: 1017] | |||
* [[Eriocephala | * [[Eriocephala magnifica]] [cite: 1017] | ||
* [[Eriocephala nigrispina]] [cite: 1017] | |||
* [[Eriocephala magnifica]] | * [[Eriocephala schumanniana]] (incl. ''E. grossei'') [cite: 1017] | ||
* [[Eriocephala nigrispina]] | * [[Eriocephala warasii]] [cite: 1017] | ||
* [[Eriocephala schumanniana]] | |||
* [[Eriocephala warasii]] | |||
== Taxonomy == | == Taxonomy == | ||
The genus was originally established by Backeberg in 1938 but later invalidated due to a similar name in Asteraceae. However, current nomenclature rules (ICN Art. 53, ex 10) have made ''Eriocephala'' legitimate again, giving it priority over ''Eriocactus''[cite: 1017]. Molecular studies by Bárcenas et al. (2011) confirm that these species emerge as a polyphyletic group within a broad ''Parodia'' concept, justifying their treatment as a separate genus[cite: 1016]. | |||
[[Category:Cactaceae]] | |||
[[Category:Cactoideae]] | |||
[[Category:Notocacteae]] | |||
Latest revision as of 17:15, 5 April 2026
| Eriocephala | |
|---|---|
| File:Eriocephala leninghausii.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Notocacteae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Eriocephala |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015/2019). Lodé reinstates Eriocephala as the legitimate name over Eriocactus according to ICN Art. 53, ex. 10. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Greek erion (wool) and kephale (head), referring to the abundant woolly covering at the apex of the plants[cite: 1016].
Description
Eriocephala comprises cacti that often become massive and columnar with age[cite: 1016].
- Stems: Characterized by a typical heliotropic apex, which is usually inclined and densely woolly[cite: 1016].
- Ribs: Numerous and well-defined; areoles are set close to each other[cite: 1016].
- Spines: Generally fine, flexible, and numerous, lacking hooks[cite: 1016].
- Flowers: Diurnal, widely funnel-shaped to bell-shaped[cite: 1016]. The floral tube is covered with brown or pale yellow wool, and the stigma lobes are always yellow (distinguishing them from Notocactus s.s., which usually has red stigmas)[cite: 1016].
- Fruits: Spherical and densely covered with wool and bristles[cite: 1016]. They are basally dehiscent when dry, releasing seeds freely[cite: 1016].
- Seeds: Very small, helmet or hat-shaped, finely warty and striate[cite: 1016]. Dispersal is primarily performed by ants[cite: 1016].
Habitat
Species grow in humid subtropical deciduous forests, among bushes, or on rocky slopes and cliffs[cite: 1017]. They are found on granitic, basaltic, or sandstone substrates at altitudes ranging from 500 m to 2200 m[cite: 1017]. The plants show a strong tendency toward heliotropism[cite: 1017].
Distribution
- South America: Argentina (Misiones), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay, and Uruguay[cite: 1017].
Species
Following Lodé's final classification, the genus includes 6 recognized species[cite: 1017]:
- Eriocephala claviceps [cite: 1017]
- Eriocephala lenninghausii [cite: 1017]
- Eriocephala magnifica [cite: 1017]
- Eriocephala nigrispina [cite: 1017]
- Eriocephala schumanniana (incl. E. grossei) [cite: 1017]
- Eriocephala warasii [cite: 1017]
Taxonomy
The genus was originally established by Backeberg in 1938 but later invalidated due to a similar name in Asteraceae. However, current nomenclature rules (ICN Art. 53, ex 10) have made Eriocephala legitimate again, giving it priority over Eriocactus[cite: 1017]. Molecular studies by Bárcenas et al. (2011) confirm that these species emerge as a polyphyletic group within a broad Parodia concept, justifying their treatment as a separate genus[cite: 1016].
