Estevesia
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Estevesia | |
|---|---|
| File:Estevesia alex-bragai.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Cereinae |
| Genus | Estevesia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A monotypic genus recently described and native to Brazil. |
Etymology
The genus is named in honor of Eddie Esteves Pereira (1939–), a renowned Brazilian botanist and specialist in the Cactaceae of Brazil.
Description
Estevesia is a monotypic genus of cereiform cacti with relatively slender stems.
- Stems: Cylindrical, reaching up to 50 cm in height and 3 cm in diameter; they feature 7–10 obtuse, slightly crenulate ribs and branching primarily from the base.
- Roots: Possesses a characteristic taproot.
- Areoles and Spines: Areoles are tomentose, bearing approximately 40 straight, finely acicular, pale yellow spines.
- Flowers: Nocturnal and self-sterile, appearing near the stem apex; they are funnel-shaped, white, and reach 13.5–17 cm in length. The long floral tube features areoles with some spines and fluff.
- Fruits: Egg-shaped to elongated, yellow, and fleshy with a juicy pulp.
- Seeds: Rough, tuberculate, and black.
Habitat
The genus is found at altitudes around 790 m within the Brazilian campo cerrado (shrubby savanna). It grows on granitic outcrops among grasses and bushes, often associated with Bromeliads and Epiphyllum phyllanthus.
Distribution
- Brazil: Endemic to the state of Goiás.
Species
According to Lodé (2015), the genus contains only one species:
- Estevesia alex-bragai (Type species)
Taxonomy
Described in 2009, its exact taxonomic position remains unclear (incertae sedis). While some suggest inclusion in Harrisia or Cereus, Lodé maintains it as a distinct genus based on its unique combination of floral, fruit, and seed structures.
