Lymanbensonia
| Lymanbensonia | |
|---|---|
| File:Lymanbensonia micrantha.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Rhipsalideae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Lymanbensonia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A small genus of Andean epiphytic cacti, resurrected based on molecular data. |
Etymology
The genus is named in honor of Lyman David Benson (1906–1993), an American botanist and leading authority on North American cacti.
Description
Lymanbensonia consists of epiphytic or lithophytic cacti with pendulous or spreading growth habits.
- Stems: Cylindrical at the base, but often becoming flattened or 3-angled towards the tips. They are relatively stiff compared to other Rhipsalideae.
- Areoles: Located along the margins, often bearing small, inconspicuous bristles.
- Flowers: Diurnal, appearing laterally. They are small, tubular to rotate, and typically reddish, purple, or sometimes whitish. A key feature is the relatively long floral tube for an epiphyte.
- Fruits: Globose, berry-like, and often intensely colored (red or purplish).
- Seeds: Ovoid, black, and relatively large for the tribe.
Habitat
Unlike many other epiphytes that prefer lowland jungles, Lymanbensonia grows in the high-altitude cloud forests and humid Andean valleys of Peru and Bolivia. They are adapted to cooler temperatures and high humidity. Altitudinal range: 1500–2500 m.
Distribution
- South America: Peru and Bolivia (Eastern slopes of the Andes).
Species
Following the classification of Lodé (2015), the genus includes 4 recognized species:
- Lymanbensonia brevispina
- Lymanbensonia crenata
- Lymanbensonia incachacana
- Lymanbensonia micrantha (Type species)
Taxonomy
This genus was reinstated by Myron Kimnach and later supported by the molecular work of Korotkova et al. (2010). Lodé (2015) maintains it as a distinct genus within the Rhipsalideae, noting that it represents a more primitive or "basal" lineage compared to the more advanced Rhipsalis.
