Reicheocactus
From M&J Cactus Wiki
| Reicheocactus | |
|---|---|
| File:Reicheocactus pseudoreicheanus.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cereeae |
| SubTribe | Trichocereinae |
| Genus | Reicheocactus |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with molecular insights from Kiesling (2001) and Schlumpberger et al. (2012). |
Etymology
Named in honour of Karl Friedrich (Carlos) Reiche (1860–1929), German botanist specializing in Chilean flora.
Description
Reicheocactus is a genus of small, geophytic or semi-geophytic cacti with tuberous roots.
- Habit: Small, low-growing; usually solitary, occasionally branching after damage.
- Stems: Cylindrical, depressed at the apex; strongly constricted above a tuberous root.
- Roots: Tuberous; plants may retract or disappear during dry periods (geophytic behaviour).
- Ribs: Numerous (24–40), low and poorly defined.
- Areoles: Elongated, on small tubercles.
- Spines: Very small, soft, pectinate.
- Flowers: Diurnal, lateral, shortly tubular to campanulate; pale silvery-yellow to yellow-orange with brownish tepals.
- Floral tube: Covered with woolly hairs.
- Pollination: By insects.
- Fruits: Elongated, purplish, with hairy scales; longitudinally dehiscent.
- Seeds: Numerous (up to ~400 per fruit), black, warty, subglobose to elongated, with mucilage remnants.
Habitat
Endemic to northwestern Argentina:
- rocky habitats in full sun
- often growing among stones
- includes true geophytic species
Altitude range: approximately 1200–3050 m.
Distribution
Argentina:
- Catamarca
- San Juan
Taxonomy
The genus has a complex and historically controversial classification.
Key points:
- Originally described as Echinocactus famatimensis (Spegazzini, 1921)
- Later transferred to Rebutia and Lobivia
- Backeberg (1942): established Reicheocactus
- Later included in Echinopsis (Anderson 2001; Hunt 2006)
- Kiesling (2001): discussed nomenclatural issues
- Schlumpberger et al. (2012): molecular data supports recognition as a distinct genus
Current interpretation:
- Forms a basal lineage within the Echinopsis complex
- Now generally accepted as a valid genus
Species
Currently two recognized species:
Notes
- One of the few geophytic cacti in the Cactaceae.
- Exhibits seasonal stem reduction similar to Pterocactus.
- Historically misclassified due to morphological similarity with Echinopsis and Lobivia.
- Molecular evidence has clarified its distinct status.
