Floribunda
| Floribunda | |
|---|---|
| File:Floribunda pusilliflora.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Cereinae |
| Genus | Floribunda |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A monotypic genus endemic to Brazil, distinct from Pilosocereus. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Latin floribundus, meaning "profusely flowering," referring to the abundant production of flowers from the fertile part of the stem.
Description
Floribunda is a monotypic genus consisting of small, shrubby, and sparsely branched cacti.
- Stems: Erect to ascending, reaching up to 1 meter in height. The stems have numerous ribs (around 16–20) and are relatively slender.
- Areoles: Small and closely set, bearing fine acicular spines.
- Flowers: Diurnal or possibly crepuscular, very small for the tribe, tubular to slightly funnel-shaped. They are typically pinkish to reddish and emerge from a non-specialized fertile zone (lacking a true cephalium).
- Fruits: Small, globose, and fleshy; they are indehiscent and contain a whitish pulp.
- Seeds: Small, black, and shiny with a very specific, nearly smooth testa, which distinguishes it from related genera.
Habitat
The genus is found on limestone outcrops (Bambuí formation) in the dry forests and caatinga of Brazil. It grows at altitudes of approximately 500–700 m, often in very localized and endangered populations.
Distribution
- Brazil: Endemic to the state of Minas Gerais (near Januária).
Species
According to Lodé (2015), the genus contains only one recognized species:
- Floribunda pusilliflora (Type species)
Taxonomy
Originally described by Friedrich Ritter, it was later merged into Pilosocereus by many authors (including Hunt). However, molecular studies have shown that it is a basal lineage within the subtribe Cereinae, justifying its status as a separate genus.
