Mirabella
| Mirabella | |
|---|---|
| File:Mirabella minensis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Cereinae |
| Genus | Mirabella |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A genus of Brazilian cacti often integrated into Cereus but kept separate by Lodé. |
Etymology
The name is derived from the Latin mirabilis, meaning "wonderful" or "admirable," referring to the striking appearance of the plants when in bloom.
Description
Mirabella consists of semi-erect, decumbent, or even climbing cacti that inhabit the dry forests and scrublands of Brazil.
- Stems: Typically slender, 4-angled or slightly more, often bluish-grey or glaucous (covered in a waxy bloom).
- Spines: Short, needle-like, and relatively few per areole, making the stems look somewhat bare.
- Flowers: Large, nocturnal, and funnel-shaped. They are typically white and open wide to attract night-pollinating moths.
- Fruits: Globose to ovoid, fleshy, and often reddish-purple when ripe.
- Roots: Often produce large, tuberous underground systems, which help the plant survive long periods of drought in the Caatinga.
Habitat
These cacti are specialists of the "Caatinga" and "Cerrado" biomes in Brazil, often growing among shrubs or on rocky outcrops where their roots can find deep crevices.
Distribution
- Brazil: Endemic to the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais.
Species List
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015), the genus includes 2 species:
- Mirabella albicaulis (Type species)
- Mirabella minensis
Taxonomy
While many 20th-century botanists merged these species into the genus Cereus, Friedrich Ritter established Mirabella based on their distinct growth habit and seed morphology. Joël Lodé (2015) maintains the genus, noting that molecular phylogenetics supports their separation from the core Cereus group.
