Gymnocalycium horstii is a globular cactus resembling a loaf of bread from a bakery.

Description

Gymnocalycium horstii is a cactus species that starts as a solitary plant and plants usually offset over time,later forms clusters. It has bright green, glossy, spherical stems that grow up to 20 cm in height and diameter. Plants have a squat appearance and spines that are curved back towards the body.The cactus features 5–6 rounded ribs with transverse grooves and usually five yellowish-white spines, up to 3 cm long. One spine points downward, while the others extend sideways. The flowers are creamy white to pale purple-pink, reaching up to 11 cm in length and diameter. Its blue-green, egg-shaped fruits follow the blooms.[2]

Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies.[3][4]

Image Name Description Distribution
Gymnocalycium horstii subsp. buenekeri (Swales) P.J.Braun & Hofacker 200 km (120 mi) westward has a very similar but dull body with always pink flowers. Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul).
Gymnocalycium horstii subsp. horstii Glossy body, white to pink flowers Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul).

Distribution

This species is native to the southern Brazilian province of Rio Grande do Sull, Uruguay, East Paraguay, and Northeast Argentina growing in rock outcrops and grasslands at altitudes above 300 meters. It has been considered endangered since 2010 due to wild specimens being collected for the plant trade.[5][6]

Taxonomy

It was first described in 1970 by Albert Frederik Hendrik Buining, with the name honoring Brazilian cactus collector Leopoldo Horst.

References

  1. ^ Larocca, J.; Machado, M. (2013). "Gymnocalycium horstii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T152340A625698. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152340A625698.en. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  2. ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 317. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
  3. ^ "Gymnocalycium horstii Buining". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  4. ^ Korotkova, Nadja; Aquino, David; Arias, Salvador; Eggli, Urs; Franck, Alan; Gómez-Hinostrosa, Carlos; Guerrero, Pablo C.; Hernández, Héctor M.; Kohlbecker, Andreas; Köhler, Matias; Luther, Katja; Majure, Lucas C.; Müller, Andreas; Metzing, Detlev; Nyffeler, Reto; Sánchez, Daniel; Schlumpberger, Boris; Berendsohn, Walter G. (2021-08-31). "Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org – a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family" (PDF). Willdenowia. 51 (2). doi:10.3372/wi.51.51208. ISSN 0511-9618. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
  5. ^ "Gymnocalycium horstii Buining 1970". cactusinhabitat. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  6. ^ "Gymnocalycium horstii". LLIFLE. 2013-08-04. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnocalycium_horstii
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