Leocereus

Leocereus is a genus of cactus, containing a single species, Leocereus bahiensis, which was described by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1926.

Description

Leocereus bahiensis has stems that are long, thin 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 they do have needle-like spines and felt. In Bahia, it is called the "tail of the fox" due to its long, thin bristle-like composition. The flower is white and narrow and within it are hair-like bristle spines. The areoles are circular and closely spaced. Leocereus bahiensis produces fruit 10 to 12 mm with seeds about 1.5 mm long.

Distribution

The cactus is endemic to Brazil. It is found growing in the campos rupestres montane savanna ecoregion of the Atlantic Forest biome.
It grows in rocky shady places such as amongst shrubs, or near cliffs and rocks.

Conservation

Leocereus bahiensis is 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 is due to industrialization. The western area of its range is most affected by industrial-scale agriculture of soy, Eucalyptus and cotton.

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.