Pfeiffera monacantha

Pfeiffera monacantha

Pfeiffera monacantha (Griseb.) P.V.Heath

A species from Bolivia and northwestern Argentina with orange flowers and angled or flattened stems. Variation in armature also includes the form described as subspecies kimnachii. [Korotkova et al. 2010] [2-WWW]

1 min readUpdated 12 October 2026

Name and distribution

POWO accepts Pfeiffera monacantha (Griseb.) P.V.Heath. Rhipsalis monacantha, Acanthorhipsalis monacantha and Lepismium monacanthum are synonyms. Its native range covers Bolivia and northwestern Argentina. The type material identified in the revision came from Salta province in Argentina. [2-WWW] [Korotkova et al. 2010, POWO record 977728-1, 12 October 2026, pp. 165–166]

Orange flowers and spine variation

The 2010 key gives waxy-orange flowers approximately 2 cm in diameter. The outer basal floral region is usually unarmed or bears a few bristles. Stem sections may be angled or flattened. The nominal subspecies was described with one or two, sometimes more, spines per areole, while subsp. kimnachii has flattened spineless stems. The key encompasses both forms. [Korotkova et al. 2010, pp. 165–166, species and subspecies keys]

Position within the genus

Plastid data placed the species in the main group containing P. ianthothele and P. miyagawae. The type of the generic name Acanthorhipsalis is linked to P. monacantha. Its inclusion in Pfeiffera leaves Acanthorhipsalis as a generic synonym. [Korotkova et al. 2010, pp. 158, 161, 164]

Materials from the author's archive

The species also appears in Konrad Szychowski's private material archive. [Kaktusy i Inne 2006a, file p. 34] [Schumann 1890, file p. 62]

Synonyms and names in the literature

Acanthorhipsalis monacantha · Hariota monacantha · Lepismium monacanthum · Rhipsalis monacantha [2-WWW]

Sources for this account

Article2010

A phylogenetic analysis of Pfeiffera and the reinstatement of Lymanbensonia as an independently evolved lineage of epiphytic Cactaceae within a new tribe Lymanbensonieae

Korotkova N., Zabel L., Quandt D., Barthlott W., A phylogenetic analysis of Pfeiffera and the reinstatement of Lymanbensonia as an independently evolved lineage of epiphytic Cactaceae within a new tribe Lymanbensonieae, Willdenowia, 2010, 40(2):151-172, doi: 10.3372/wi.40.40201

Analyses of eight plastid regions separate the former Pfeiffera into distinct lineages and indicate a relationship between Lymanbensonia and Calymmanthium. The paper includes comparative stem, flower and fruit descriptions, a key to six Pfeiffera species and new name combinations. It discusses variation in Pfeiffera boliviana and method-dependent differences in the inferred relationship of P. miyagawae.

Physiology and anatomyGenusCalymmanthiumLymanbensoniaPfeiffera

DOI ↗Article or source page ↗

[2-WWW]Source website

Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.

Accessed 2026-10-08.

Zeszyt czasopisma2006a

Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2(3)

[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 2(3), Kaktusy i Inne, 2006a, nr 2(3)]

A 2006 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Didierea, Eriosyce and Parodia.

GenusDidiereaEriosyceParodia

Bibliographic details and access scope

Data according to the source used. Author unknown.

Copy in the supplied material

Book1890

Cactaceae

[Schumann K. M., Cactaceae, Flora brasiliensis, 1890, tom 4, nr 2]

The 1890 Cactaceae treatment in “Flora brasiliensis” presents plant descriptions and classification of that time. The copy comes from Konrad Szychowski's private archive.

Genus

Copy in the supplied material