Airampoa: Difference between revisions
From M&J Cactus Wiki
Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Airampoa | image = Airampoa.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Opuntioideae | tribe = Opuntieae | genus = '''Airampoa''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). }} == Etymology == The name ''Airampoa'' is derived from the native Quechua name for the plant, ''ayrampo'' or ''airampo'', which means "garnet red". This refers to the fruits, which have long been used as a natural food coloring and dye. == Desc..." |
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== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
The name | The name Airampoa derives from the native name of the plant (in Quechua, ayrampo, airampo, ayram pu means garnet red), whose fruits are used as a colouring in food, and as a dye. | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
'''Airampoa''' | '''Airampoa''' is a genus of small, low, strongly articulated and compact opuntias, forming small cushions. Spines are finely aciculate, of variable size and colour. Glochids are present, and the plants have small cylindrical deciduous leaves. | ||
Flowers are diurnal, self-sterile, bell-shaped, and of variable colour: yellow, orange, red, carmine red to purplish red, rarely white. The stigma pistil is emerald green. Pollination is provided by wasps and bees. | |||
Fruits are somewhat fleshy, laterally dehiscent, yellow to red, with red pulp serving as a colouring agent. Seeds are rather small, flattened, kidney-shaped, more or less wrinkled, and straw-coloured. | |||
== Habitat == | == Habitat == | ||
The genus grows mainly in the Andean Precordillera, | The genus grows mainly in the Andean Precordillera areas, in the puna and altiplano, on gravelly or sandy soils, at ground level, forming colonies. They often grow under shrubs or in full sun with poor surrounding vegetation. | ||
Altitude range: approximately 1800–4000 m. | |||
== Distribution == | == Distribution == | ||
* Argentina (Catamarca, Jujuy, Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan, Tucumán) | |||
* Bolivia (Chuquisaca, La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Tarija) | |||
* Northern Chile (Arica, Tarapacá) | |||
* Southern Peru (Arequipa, Puno, Tacna) | |||
== | == Species == | ||
The genus | The genus includes the following species: | ||
* [[Airampoa albisaetacens]] | * [[Airampoa albisaetacens]] | ||
* [[Airampoa armata]] | * [[Airampoa armata]] | ||
* [[Airampoa ayrampo]] | * [[Airampoa ayrampo]] | ||
* [[Airampoa chilensis]] | * [[Airampoa chilensis]] | ||
* [[Airampoa corrugata]] | * [[Airampoa corrugata]] | ||
* [[Airampoa erectoclada]] | * [[Airampoa erectoclada]] | ||
* [[Airampoa microdisca]] | * [[Airampoa microdisca]] | ||
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== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
* The species | * Established in 1933 by Fric, the genus was later reinstated to replace the unnecessary name Tunilla. | ||
* | * Airampoa is distinguished from Opuntia primarily by its pollen structure, which has a perforated tectum. | ||
* The species show extreme morphological variability in habitat, possibly due to ancient hybridization. | |||
* Molecular studies confirm the genus as a distinct clade within the tribe Opuntieae. | |||
[[Category:Cactaceae genera]] | [[Category:Cactaceae genera]] | ||
[[Category:Opuntieae]] | [[Category:Opuntieae]] | ||
Revision as of 16:16, 26 March 2026
| Airampoa | |
|---|---|
| File:Airampoa.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Opuntioideae |
| Tribe | Opuntieae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Airampoa |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). |
Etymology
The name Airampoa derives from the native name of the plant (in Quechua, ayrampo, airampo, ayram pu means garnet red), whose fruits are used as a colouring in food, and as a dye.
Description
Airampoa is a genus of small, low, strongly articulated and compact opuntias, forming small cushions. Spines are finely aciculate, of variable size and colour. Glochids are present, and the plants have small cylindrical deciduous leaves.
Flowers are diurnal, self-sterile, bell-shaped, and of variable colour: yellow, orange, red, carmine red to purplish red, rarely white. The stigma pistil is emerald green. Pollination is provided by wasps and bees.
Fruits are somewhat fleshy, laterally dehiscent, yellow to red, with red pulp serving as a colouring agent. Seeds are rather small, flattened, kidney-shaped, more or less wrinkled, and straw-coloured.
Habitat
The genus grows mainly in the Andean Precordillera areas, in the puna and altiplano, on gravelly or sandy soils, at ground level, forming colonies. They often grow under shrubs or in full sun with poor surrounding vegetation.
Altitude range: approximately 1800–4000 m.
Distribution
- Argentina (Catamarca, Jujuy, Rioja, Mendoza, Salta, San Juan, Tucumán)
- Bolivia (Chuquisaca, La Paz, Oruro, Potosí, Tarija)
- Northern Chile (Arica, Tarapacá)
- Southern Peru (Arequipa, Puno, Tacna)
Species
The genus includes the following species:
- Airampoa albisaetacens
- Airampoa armata
- Airampoa ayrampo
- Airampoa chilensis
- Airampoa corrugata
- Airampoa erectoclada
- Airampoa microdisca
- Airampoa minuscula
- Airampoa orurensis
- Airampoa picardoi
- Airampoa tilcarensis
Notes
- Established in 1933 by Fric, the genus was later reinstated to replace the unnecessary name Tunilla.
- Airampoa is distinguished from Opuntia primarily by its pollen structure, which has a perforated tectum.
- The species show extreme morphological variability in habitat, possibly due to ancient hybridization.
- Molecular studies confirm the genus as a distinct clade within the tribe Opuntieae.
