Browningia altissima
| Browningia altissima | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Browningia |
| Species: | B. altissima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Browningia altissima (F.Ritter) Buxb. 1965
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Browningia altissima is a species of cactus from northern Peru.[2]
Description
This species develops a well-formed trunk and can reach impressive heights of 5 to 10 meters. Its parallel, cylindrical stems are characterized by 7 to 8 ribs. The areoles on these ribs bear spines: a single, downward-pointing central spine measuring 2 to 6 cm (0.79 to 2.36 in), and 5 to 6 marginal spines, each 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long. Browningia altissima produces nocturnal, greenish-white flowers that are 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long and covered with broad, overlapping scales. The resulting fruits are green, juicy, and elongated.
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Flowers
Distribution
Browningia altissima is a tree-like cactus native to northern Peru, found in desert and dry scrub biomes, primarily in the Amazonas and Cajamarca regions along the warm, lowlands of the Marañón River. It typically grows between 400 and 700 meters above sea level.
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Habitat in Bellavista, Peru
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Habitat in San Agustin, Peru
Taxonomy
Originally described as Gymnanthocereus altissimus by Friedrich Ritter in 1959, the species was later reclassified as Browningia altissima by Franz Buxbaum in 1965. The specific epithet "altissima" is Latin for "tallest," reflecting the cactus's significant stature.
References
- ^ "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". 4 May 2011. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
- ^ "Browningia altissima (F.Ritter) Buxb. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-05-21.
External links
- Media related to Browningia altissima at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Browningia altissima at Wikispecies