''Mitrocereus'' is a
monotypic
In biology, a monotypic taxon is a taxonomic group (taxon) that contains only one immediately subordinate taxon. A monotypic species is one that does not include subspecies or smaller, infraspecific taxa. In the case of genera, the term "unisp ...
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
cacti
A cactus (: cacti, cactuses, or less commonly, cactus) is a member of the plant family Cactaceae (), a family of the order Caryophyllales comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species. The word ''cactus'' derives, through Latin, ...
. Its sole
species
A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...
is ''Mitrocereus militaris'', native to
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
.
Description
''Mitrocereus militaris'' is a tree-shaped cactus with initially single greyish-green columnar shoots that later branch out, reaching heights of 12 to 15 meters and crown diameters of up to 5 meters. The stems have 11 to 14 ribs with areoles close together, covered with short wool and white woolly hairs.
Areole
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 ...
s typically have 3 to 4 protruding, yellowish to brownish central spines over long, and 10 to 12 radial spines that are flexible, bristle-like, and long. At the tips of the shoots, a cap-shaped pseudocephalium made of yellowish-brown wool develops, which can be up to long with a diameter of up to .
The flowers, which open at night, appear laterally from the pseudocephalium. They are reddish to cream-colored, long, and reach a diameter of . The pericarpel and flower tube are covered with small scales, tufts of wool, and bristles. The elongated fruits are fleshy and become dry when ripe, covered with scales, bristles, and long tufts of woolly hair.
Distribution
''Mitrocereus militaris'' is distributed in the Mexican states of Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Colima at elevations of 100 to 600 meters.
Taxonomy
The plant, first described as ''Cereus militaris'' in 1845 by N. Audot, derives its specific epithet militaris from Latin, meaning military or army, referring to the terminal pseudocephalium resembling a soldier's cap.
David Richard Hunt placed the species in the genus ''
Pachycereus'' in 1987.
It is commonly known as Golden Fleece, Military Cap, and Teddy-Bear Cactus.
References
External links
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{{Taxonbar
Flora of Mexico
Cactoideae genera
Monotypic Cactaceae genera
Cactoideae