Rebutia
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Rebutia | |
|---|---|
| File:Rebutia minuscula.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Rebutiinae |
| Genus | Rebutia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with molecular insights from Ritz et al. (2007), Mosti et al. (2011), and Hernández-Hernández et al. (2011). |
Etymology
Named in honour of Pierre Rebut (1828–1898), a French cactus nurseryman.
Description
Rebutia is a genus of small, low-growing cacti, often forming dense clusters.
- Habit: Globose, depressed or shortly cylindrical; solitary or clumping.
- Areoles: Rounded, ovate or elliptic.
- Spines: Very variable; usually fine, short, often hair-like; typically white.
- Flowers: Diurnal, funnel-shaped, relatively large compared to the body; yellow, orange, pink or red; usually self-fertile.
- Pericarpel: Nearly glabrous (diagnostic for Rebutia s.s.).
- Pollination: Mainly by bees.
- Fruits: Small, globose; dry and papery when ripe; disintegrating.
- Seeds: Numerous, black, shiny, ovate.
- Dispersal: Myrmecochorous (by ants).
Habitat
Occurs in high-altitude environments:
- rock crevices and rocky slopes
- highland grasslands and open areas
Altitude range: approximately 1200–3600 m.
Adapted to cold conditions, including snow and frost, typically under low humidity.
Distribution
South America:
- Argentina (Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán)
- Bolivia (Tarija)
Taxonomy
The genus is taxonomically complex and historically controversial.
Key points:
- Traditionally expanded to include Aylostera, Sulcorebutia and Weingartia
- Ritz et al. (2007): demonstrated that Rebutia sensu lato is polyphyletic
- Mosti et al. (2011): confirmed separation into distinct clades
- Hernández-Hernández et al. (2011): supported deep divergence between these groups
Current interpretation:
- Rebutia sensu stricto is a distinct lineage
- Aylostera (incl. Mediolobivia and others) represents a separate clade
- Sulcorebutia and Weingartia form another independent lineage
The genus is therefore treated here in a narrow sense (s.s.).
Species
Following Joël Lodé (2015), with a restricted species concept:
Notes
- One of the most popular genera in cultivation due to abundant flowering.
- Shows extreme variability, especially within R. minuscula.
- Historically over-expanded, leading to major taxonomic confusion.
- Current trend is toward splitting into multiple genera based on molecular data.
