Brasiliopuntia
| Brasiliopuntia | |
|---|---|
| File:Brasiliopuntia brasiliensis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Opuntioideae |
| Tribe | Opuntieae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Brasiliopuntia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). |
Etymology
The name means "Opuntia of Brazil", indicating the country where the genus was first described, although its range extends to several other South American countries.
Description
Brasiliopuntia is a genus of treelike cacti with a distinct, central woody trunk covered in clusters of spines. From this trunk, it produces dimorphic branches: cylindrical main stems and flattened, thin terminal pads (cladodes). The leaves are tiny and very quickly deciduous.
The flowers are diurnal, self-sterile, and typically yellow, appearing on the edges of the terminal pads. They are pollinated by bees. The fruits are spherical, fleshy, and highly variable in color (yellow, orange, red, or purple). A key feature of the fruit is the presence of areoles densely covered with glochids (barbed micro-spines). The seeds are very large, yellow, and covered in a thick, woolly funicular envelope. Seed dispersal is likely aided by mammals such as peccaries.
Habitat
The genus has a wide but fragmented distribution across South America, growing from sea level up to 1300 m. It thrives in various environments, including dry thorny forests, humid ombrophilous forests, and semi-deciduous woodlands. It prefers warm and humid climates but can also be found in rocky areas and river valleys.
Distribution
- Argentina (Chaco)
- Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz)
- Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro)
- Paraguay
- Peru (Cuzco, Junín)
- Naturalized in USA (Florida)
Species
Currently, only one species is formally recognized, though its high variability suggests the possibility of further taxa:
Notes
- Molecular studies (Wallace & Dickie 2001, Bàrcenas et al. 2011) confirm that Brasiliopuntia is a distinct lineage, sister to the rest of the Opuntioideae subfamily.
- Recent DNA analyses (Majure et al. 2012) suggest that Opuntia schickendantzii might actually belong to the Brasiliopuntia clade, despite having very different morphological characteristics. This remains a subject for further investigation.
- Unlike many other opuntioids, this genus has a very distinct tree-like habit with a specialized dimorphic branching system.
