Micranthocereus flaviflorus
Micranthocereus flaviflorus is a species of Micranthocereus found in Brazil.
Description
Micranthocereus flaviflorus is a branching cactus that grows from its base, forming columnar, bluish-green shoots up to 75 cm tall and 4 cm in diameter. These shoots are characterized by approximately 16 slightly humped ribs. The oval areoles are densely covered with white wool that ages to gray, and bear hairs up to 1 cm long. The spines initially emerge yellowish-brown, becoming dirty white with age. There are about nine central spines, 0.6-1.3 cm long, with one more robust central spine reaching up to 2 cm. Numerous translucent radial spines are up to 5 mm long. The cephalium, a specialized flowering structure, is composed of white wool and hair-like spines up to 1 cm long. The tubular flowers are red to pinkish-red, or bright cream to yellowish, measuring up to 1.8 cm long and 6 mm in diameter. The bright red, berry-like fruits are 7-8 mm long and have a similar diameter.
Distribution
Micranthocereus flaviflorus is native to the Brazilian state of Bahia.
Taxonomy
It was first described in 1974 by Albert Frederik Hendrik Buining and Arnold J. Brederoo. The species name, flaviflorus, is derived from the Latin words flavidus and -florus, referring to its yellow or cream-colored flowers.