synonym
A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...
''Mirabella minensis'' grows as a shrub with sprawling and numerously branched, blue-green shoots that later turn grey-green. The shoots have a diameter of 2 to 3 centimeters. There are 3 to 5 wavy and sometimes barely defined ribs. The circular
areoles
In botany, areoles are small light- to dark-colored bumps on cactus, cacti out of which grow clusters of Thorns, spines, and prickles, spines. Areoles are important diagnostic features of cactus, cacti, and identify them as a family distinct fr ...
are covered with short to long, white or brown wool. The 3 to 6 needle-like and spreading yellow thorns are reddish brown at their base. They are up to 2.5 centimeters long.
The white flowers are 10 to 15 centimeters long. The egg-shaped, greenish frosted fruits are up to 3.5 centimeters long.
Distribution
Cereus mirabella is found in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in the Caatinga scrub on sandy soil.
Taxonomy
The first description as ''Mirabella minensis'' was in 1979 by
Friedrich Ritter
Friedrich Ritter (9 May 1898 – 9 April 1989) was a German botanist who collected and described many species of cacti. '' Ritterocereus'' is named in his honour.
References
1898 births
1989 deaths
{{botanist-stub ...
. After the transfer to the genus ''Cereus'', it was not possible to keep the species name because it was already in use (today Cipocereus minensis). Therefore, a replacement name was necessary, which was assigned in 1991 by Nigel Paul Taylor.