Leuenbergeria quisqueyana

Leuenbergeria quisqueyana
Conservation status
Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Leuenbergeria
Species:	L. quisqueyana
Binomial name
Leuenbergeria quisqueyana (Alain) Lodé
Synonyms
Pereskia quisqueyana Alain

Leuenbergeria quisqueyana, formerly Pereskia quisqueyana, commonly known as the Bayahibe rose, is a species of cactus that is endemic to the Dominican Republic.^[2] L. quisqueyana is one of only several cactus species which possess leaves. Its natural habitat includes subtropical or tropical dry forests that are found on the Southeast coast of Hispaniola; particularly around the town of Bayahibe, its namesake. It is critically endangered due to habitat loss.

The species was discovered by the French botanist, Henri Alain Liogier, in 1977,^{[citation needed]} the description being published in 1980. He named it quisqueyana, in honor of the Dominican Republic, which is also referred to as Quisqueya. Law 146-11 of the Dominican Republic, established the Bayahibe rose as the national flower of the country and ensured its protection due to its endangered status.

Description[]

Leuenbergeria quisqueyana is a dioecious cactus that resembles a shrub and reaches up to 6 metres (20 ft) in height. Its trunk is surrounded by groups of spines which erupt in bunches. Its succulent leaves are elliptical in shape and are a bright green color. The flower of the L. quisqueyana is pink in color and blooms from the ends of its branches. Its fruits are yellow and contain black seeds.

References[]

This Cactaceae article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t