Leocereus
| Leocereus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Leocereus |
| Species: | L. bahiensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Leocereus bahiensis | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Cereus bahiensis Britton & Rose | |
Leocereus bahiensis is a species of cactus and the only species of the genus Leocereus.
Distribution[]
The cactus is endemic to Brazil, within Bahia state. It is found growing in the campos rupestres (rocky fields) montane savanna ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest biome.
It grows in rocky shady places such as amongst shrubs, or near cliffs and rocks.
Description[]
Leocereus bahiensis has stems that are long, thing and almost terete. A full adult plant can grow up to 2 meters in length and about 1.5 cm in diameter.
They tend to grow like vines, they do not have wool or hairs but the do have needle like spines (about 4 cm long, yellowish brown in color) and felt. In Bahia it is called the "tail of the fox" due to its long thing bristle like composition.
The flower is white and narrow and within it are hair bristle spines.
The areoles are close together and circular. The Leocereus bahiensis has fruit 10 to 12 mm with seeds about 1.5 mm long.[2]
- Conservation
Leocereus bahiensis are being affected by habitat loss, though it has a wide range. The eastern range of the plant is generally regarded as ending up in an area that is not ideal for agricultural growth. The major threat to habitat loss that happens within numerous national parks (Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina, Parque Estadual de Morro Chapeu, Parque Nacional Boqueirão da Onça and Parque Nacional do Rio Parnaiba) is due to industrialization. The western area of its range is most affected by industrial-scale agriculture of soy, Eucalyptus and cotton.[1]
Uses[]
This plant is one of the few cacti that contain caffeine and mescaline. Mescaline is a psychedelic drug that is produced by some cacti and also called peyote. Leocereus bahiensis was not confirmed part of the genus Leocereus until 2012[3]
References[]
- ^ a b Machado, M. (2017). "Leocereus bahiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T151744A121506633. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T151744A121506633.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Carnegie Science".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Leocereus — The Plant List". www.theplantlist.org. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
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- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Trichocereeae
- Cacti of South America
- Endemic flora of Brazil
- Flora of Bahia
- Flora of Atlantic Forest (biome)
- Cactoideae genera
- Monotypic Cactaceae genera
- Cactus stubs