Mila caespitosa

Mila caespitosa

Mila caespitosa is the only species of the monotypic genus Mila in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). It was erected in 1922 by Britton & Rose. The genus name is an anagram to Lima, Peru's capital.

Description

The genus includes small-growing, cereenartig growing, partly sprouting cacti. The spines are strong, stiff to soft and partially merging into hair bristles. The short- tubed flowers appear in the crown, funnel shaped and are usually yellow to whitish. The fruits are small, juicy and unbedornte berries.

Systematics and distribution

The history of the genus is characterized by a large number of first descriptions of supposedly independent species. The reason for this lies in the great variability of the species. In the work of Walter Haage still 11 species and several subspecies are listed. For Hunt it is still 4 species. In the recent literature, the genus with only one type, Mila caespitosa, considered monotypic. This classification is supported by molecular studies.

The presence of the species extends over the western Andes in Peru between 1000 and 2500 m altitude.