Mila
| Mila | |
|---|---|
| File:Mila caespitosa.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Mila |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A monotypic genus endemic to Peru. |
Etymology
The name is an anagram of LIMA, the capital city of Peru, where the plants were first discovered in the nearby valleys.
Description
Mila consists of small, low-growing cacti that form dense clusters (caespitose habit).
- Stems: Cylindrical to globose, usually only a few centimeters in diameter and up to 15 cm long.
- Ribs: Numerous (about 10-15), low and closely set.
- Spines: Short, needle-like, and very numerous, often covering the stem. They vary in color from yellowish to brownish.
- Flowers: Diurnal, appearing at the apex. They are relatively small, funnel-shaped, and consistently yellow.
- Fruits: Small, globose, and fleshy (berry-like). They are greenish to reddish and smooth.
- Seeds: Small, black, and helmet-shaped.
Habitat
The genus grows in extremely arid, rocky coastal valleys and the lower western slopes of the Andes. They are well-adapted to environments with very little rainfall, often surviving on moisture from coastal fogs (garúa).
Distribution
- Peru: Endemic to the regions of Lima and Ancash.
Species
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is monotypic:
- Mila caespitosa (Type species)
Taxonomy
Mila is a distinct genus within the subtribe Trichocereinae. Although its small size and clustering habit make it look different from the large columnar cacti in the same tribe, molecular data supports its position as a specialized, reduced lineage. Lodé (2015) treats all previously described species (like M. nealeana, M. lurinensis, etc.) as synonyms of the highly variable M. caespitosa.
