Leocereus
| Leocereus | |
|---|---|
| File:Leocereus bahiensis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Cereinae |
| Genus | Leocereus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A small, distinct genus from eastern Brazil. |
Etymology
The genus is named in honor of Antônio Pacheco Leão (1872–1931), a former director of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.
Description
Leocereus consists of slender, shrubby cacti with sprawling or climbing stems that can reach 1 to 2 meters in length.
- Stems: Very thin, cylindrical, only 1–2.5 cm in diameter. They are olive-green and often have a woody core.
- Ribs: Numerous (12 to 14), very low and rounded, making the stem look almost smooth.
- Spines: Small, needle-like, and very numerous. They are yellowish or brownish, becoming grey with age.
- Flowers: Diurnal to crepuscular, appearing near the tips of the stems. They are small, tubular-funnelform, white inside and brownish-green on the outside. The floral tube is covered with small scales and hairs.
- Fruits: Globose to ovoid, fleshy, and reddish when ripe. They are covered with small scales and persistent hairs.
- Seeds: Small, black, and pitted.
Habitat
The genus grows in the semi-arid Caatinga and Campo Rupestre biomes, often found on rocky soil or climbing among shrubs and dry vegetation. Altitudinal range: 400–1000 m.
Distribution
- Brazil: States of Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Species
Following the classification of Lodé (2015), the genus is considered monotypic (though some authors suggest more species, Lodé recognizes one main species with variation):
- Leocereus bahiensis (Type species)
Taxonomy
Lodé maintains Leocereus in the subtribe Cereinae. Although it shares some superficial similarities with Arthrocereus or Acanthocereus, its specific floral morphology and seed structure place it firmly within the Brazilian core of the tribe Cereeae.
