Harrisia taetra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Harrisia
Species:
H. taetra
Binomial name
Harrisia taetra
Areces

Harrisia taetra is a species of cactus found in Cuba.

Description

Harrisia taetra grows like a shrub and reaches heights of 1 to 2.5 meters. The somewhat articulated, cylindrical shoots have a diameter of 6.5 to 8 centimeters and are 0.3 to 1 meter long. There are eight to ten ribs. The stiff, needle-like, straight thorns, initially almost black, later turn whitish yellow. The two to three central spines are 4 to 9 centimeters long. The six to nine marginal spines are 0.7 to 4.4 centimeters long.

The flowers reach a length of 16.5 to 20 centimeters and a diameter of 12 to 15 centimeters. The light to golden yellow, broadly ovoid to somewhat spherical fruits are smooth and covered with a few tiny scales. They have a diameter of 3.8 to 7.2 centimeters and reach a length of 3.5 to 7.3 centimeters.[1]

Distribution

Harrisia taetra is widespread in Cuba in the Pinar del Río province on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula.

Taxonomy

The first description was made in 1981 by L. Alberto E. Areces-Mallea. The specific epithet taetra means 'hideous, hideous, ugly, repulsive'.

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 340. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
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