Frailea gracillima
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Frailea
Species:
F. gracillima
Binomial name
Frailea gracillima
(Monv. ex Lem.) Britton & Rose
Synonyms
  • Astrophytum gracillimum (Monv. ex Lem.) Halda & Malina 2005
  • Echinocactus gracillimus Monv. ex Lem. 1839

Frailea gracillima is a species of Frailea from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.[2]

Description

Frailea gracillima is a solitary growing cactus known for its slender, cylindrical bodies in a gray-green hue, capable of reaching heights of up to 10 centimeters with a diameter of 2.5 centimeters. The approximately 13 rounded ribs create subtle divisions into cusps. It exhibits 2 to 6 central spines, darker in color and extending up to 5 millimeters, contrasting with the up to 20 marginal spines, thin and approximately 2 millimeters long, positioned on the body's surface.

The yellow flowers of Frailea gracillima, measure up to 3 centimeters in length and with a diameter up to 5 centimeters. The greenish fruits that can grow up to a diameter of 6 millimeters.[3]

Subspecies

Accepted subspecies:[4]

  • Frailea gracillima subsp. gracillima
  • Frailea gracillima subsp. horstii (F.Ritter) P.J.Braun & Esteves
  • Frailea gracillima subsp. machadoiHofacker, Olsthoorn & R.Pontes

Distribution

This cactus species is found in southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Taxonomy

The plant was first described as Echinocactus gracillimus in 1839 by Charles Lemaire, Frailea gracillima derives its specific epithet "gracillima" from the superlative form of the Latin adjective "gracilis," meaning 'slim.'[5] Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose reclassified the species under the genus Frailea in 1922.[6] Another nomenclature synonym is Astrophytum gracillimum (Lem.) Halda & Malina (2005).

References

  1. ↑ Assessment), João Larocca (Global Cactus (2010-06-04). "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  2. ↑ "Frailea gracillima in Tropicos".
  3. ↑ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 301. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
  4. ↑ "Frailea gracillima (Monv. ex Lem.) Britton & Rose". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. ↑ Lemaire, Charles Antoine (1839). Cactearum genera nova speciesque novæ et omnium in Horto monvilliano cultarum ex affinitatibus naturalibus ordinatio nova indexque methodicus /. Lutetiis-Parisiorum: J. Loss. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.124858.
  6. ↑ Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Eaton, Mary E.; Rose, J. N.; Wood, Helen Adelaide (1919). The Cactaceae : descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.46288.
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