Austrocylindropuntia
Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Austrocylindropuntia is a genus of flowering plants of the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The botanical name of the genus is derived from the Latin noun oyster for the South and the name of the genus Cylindropuntia, with some species similarity.
Description
The species of the genus Austrocylindropuntia grow mostly shrubby, but sometimes tree-like. They are loosely branched shrubs or sometimes dense cushions which reach a stature height of 0.5 to 5 meters. The cylindrical shoots are sometimes divided. The late sloping succulent leaves are cylindrical and up to 4 millimeters long. The areoles bear glochids, hair and smooth, divorced loose spines.
The yellow, pink or red flowers are up to 8 inches long, but only have a short perianth. The thick-walled fruits are elliptical in shape and juicy. They contain small to large, spherical to pear- shaped seeds from 3.5 to 7 millimeters in length.
Systematics and distribution
The species of the genus Austrocylindropuntia are common in Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.
The first description of the genus was made in 1938 by Curt Backeberg. The type species is Opuntia exaltata A.Berger. Belong to the genus of the following types:
- Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica
- Austrocylindropuntia floccosa
- Austrocylindropuntia hirschii
- Austrocylindropuntia lagopus
- Austrocylindropuntia pachypus
- Austrocylindropuntia punta - Caillan
- Austrocylindropuntia shaferi
- Austrocylindropuntia subulata
- Austrocylindropuntia verschaffeltii
- Austrocylindropuntia vestita
- Austrocylindropuntia yanganucensis