Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Accepted names, synonyms and distribution. A citation beside a taxon leads to its record.
Accessed 2026-10-08.
Four genera of southern South America
Literature on the four genera
Scientific publications and archived material, with complete bibliographic details and summaries of their contents.
Phylogenomics and classification of Cactaceae based on hundreds of nuclear genes
de Vos J. M., Eggli U., Nyffeler R., Larridon I., McGinnie C., Epitawalage N., Maurin O., Forest F., Baker W. J., Phylogenomics and classification of Cactaceae based on hundreds of nuclear genes, Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2025, 311(5):28, doi: 10.1007/s00606-025-01948-z
The study analyses hundreds of nuclear genes and their agreement in reconstructing Cactaceae relationships. It presents a revised classification of subfamilies, tribes and genera with morphological descriptions.
Anatomical adaptations to xeric conditions in Maihuenia (Cactaceae), a relictual, leaf-bearing cactus
Mauseth J. D., Anatomical adaptations to xeric conditions in Maihuenia (Cactaceae), a relictual, leaf-bearing cactus, Journal of Plant Research, 1999, 112(3):307-315, doi: 10.1007/pl00013886
A comparison of leaf, young stem and older axis anatomy in both Maihuenia species. The paper describes the proportion of parenchyma, wood structure, wide-band tracheids and intraxylary bark in M. patagonica.
Pereskia, Maihuenia, and Blossfeldia—Taxonomic History, Updates, and Notes
Leuenberger B. E., Pereskia, Maihuenia, and Blossfeldia—Taxonomic History, Updates, and Notes, Haseltonia, 2008, 14:54-93, doi: 10.2985/1070-0048-14.1.54
The account documents name history and observations of living leafy cacti, Maihuenia and Blossfeldia. It also contains greenhouse accounts of unusual roots and germination within fruits.
Requerimientos pregerminativos de Maihuenia patagonica y Maihueniopsis darwinii, cactáceas endémicas de Patagonia
Masini A. C. A., Rovere A. E., Pirk G. I., Requerimientos pregerminativos de Maihuenia patagonica y Maihueniopsis darwinii, cactáceas endémicas de Patagonia, Gayana Botanica, 2014, 71(2):188-198, doi: 10.4067/s0717-66432014000200002
The experiment compares germination in Maihuenia patagonica and Maihueniopsis hickenii, called M. darwinii var. hickenii in the paper. It includes cold stratification, two scarification treatments, seed measurements and a viability test. It discusses possible physiological dormancy and the effects of seed coverings.
Classical and molecular cytogenetics and DNA content in Maihuenia and Pereskia (Cactaceae)
Las Peñas M. L., Urdampilleta J. D., López-Carro B., Santiñaque F., Kiesling R., Bernardello G., Classical and molecular cytogenetics and DNA content in Maihuenia and Pereskia (Cactaceae), Plant Systematics and Evolution, 2014, 300(3):549-558, doi: 10.1007/s00606-013-0903-x
A study of karyotypes, heterochromatin, the location of ribosomal genes and DNA content. It compares both Maihuenia species and selected Pereskia species, including diploid and tetraploid cytotypes of M. patagonica.
Variación en atributos anatómicos asociados a la conducción y almacenamiento de agua, en tres poblaciones de Maihuenia poeppigii (Otto ex Pfeiff.) K. Schum. (Cactaceae) en un gradiente altitudinal
Cabral T., Quezada I. M., Saldaña A., Variación en atributos anatómicos asociados a la conducción y almacenamiento de agua, en tres poblaciones de Maihuenia poeppigii (Otto ex Pfeiff.) K. Schum. (Cactaceae) en un gradiente altitudinal, Gayana Botanica, 2016, 73(1):9-18, doi: 10.4067/s0717-66432016000100002
A comparison of three Maihuenia poeppigii populations along an elevational gradient in Chile. The authors measured xylem vessel size and density, cushion height and the water content of leaves and stems. The results show differences in the structure of the conducting system and in succulence between sites.
Ecological and metabolic implications of the nurse effect of Maihueniopsis camachoi in the Atacama Desert
Díaz F. P., Dussarrat T., Carrasco-Puga G., Colombié S., Prigent S., Decros G., Bernillon S., Cassan C., Flandin A., Guerrero P. C., Gibon Y., Rolin D., Cavieres L. A., Pétriacq P., Latorre C., Gutiérrez R. A., Ecological and metabolic implications of the nurse effect of Maihueniopsis camachoi in the Atacama Desert, New Phytologist, 2024, 241(3):1074-1087, doi: 10.1111/nph.19415
A field and metabolomic study of the role of Maihueniopsis camachoi as a nurse plant. It compares vegetation cover, soil temperature and the metabolite composition of associated plants along an elevational gradient in the Atacama. It analyses the cactus's relationship with Atriplex imbricata in detail.
Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter sp. Strain ATA002, a Seed Endophytic Bacterium from the Atacama Desert
Oses Pedraza R., Mitzscherling J., Lipus D., Wagner D., Bartholomäus A., Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter sp. Strain ATA002, a Seed Endophytic Bacterium from the Atacama Desert, Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2023, 12(5):e00027-23, doi: 10.1128/mra.00027-23
A description of the isolation of Arthrobacter sp. ATA002 from Maihueniopsis domeykoensis seeds and the sequencing of its genome. It gives the size of the assembled sequence, GC content, quality assessment and taxonomic position of the strain. The publication makes genomic data available for further research.
A new combination in Tephrocactus Lem. (Cactaceae)
Stuppy W., A new combination in Tephrocactus Lem. (Cactaceae), Kew Bulletin, 2001, 56(4):1003-1005, doi: 10.2307/4119314
A comparison of seed structure leading to the transfer of Puna bonnieae to Tephrocactus. The author describes the covering derived from the ovule funiculus and the embryo shape, comparing them with Puna clavarioides, now Maihueniopsis clavarioides.
Complete genome sequence of Cellulomonas sp. strain ATA003
Bartholomäus A., Mitzscherling J., Lipus D., Wagner D., Lavin P., Contreras R., Oses R., Complete genome sequence of Cellulomonas sp. strain ATA003, Microbiology Resource Announcements, 2024, 13(6):e01037-23, doi: 10.1128/mra.01037-23
A description of Cellulomonas sp. ATA003 isolated from Maihueniopsis domeykoensis seeds. It presents cultivation of the isolate, Nanopore sequencing, assembly of the circular genome and its bioinformatic assessment. It includes taxonomic comparisons and accession numbers for the deposited sequences.
Expansion of the genus Bevemovirus: Novel genome discovery and evidence for virus–host co-segregation
Baek S., Hahn Y., Lee S. C., Expansion of the genus Bevemovirus: Novel genome discovery and evidence for virus–host co-segregation, Gene, 2025, 962:149573, doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2025.149573
Analysis of public transcriptomes reveals nine new virus sequences related to Bevemovirus, including in Maihueniopsis conoidea data. The authors compare genome organisation and phylogenetic trees for viruses and hosts. The hypothesis of co-inheritance derives from sequence analyses, without an experiment on the transmission route.
Pollen morphology of Cactaceae in Northern Chile
Miesen F., de Porras M. E., Maldonado A., Pollen morphology of Cactaceae in Northern Chile, Gayana Botánica, 2015, 72(2):258-271, doi: 10.4067/S0717-66432015000200010
The atlas presents the pollen of fourteen species from northern Chile under light microscopy. It includes a description of Airampoa ayrampo (Tunilla soehrensii in the publication).
Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Tephrocactus (Cactaceae) based on molecular, morphological, and cytogenetical data
Las Peñas M. L., Kiesling R., Bernardello G., Phylogenetic reconstruction of the genus Tephrocactus (Cactaceae) based on molecular, morphological, and cytogenetical data, Taxon, 2019, 68(4):714-730, doi: 10.1002/tax.12092
The phylogenetic analysis combines two chloroplast markers with morphology, chromosome counts, cytometry and rDNA mapping. It includes taxa treated as 12 Tephrocactus species in 2019. It documents substantial ploidy variation and reconstructs the history of selected traits.
Morphology and mechanical properties of junctions: Implications on the success of clonal spread of cacti
Almirón M. G., Martínez Carretero E. E., Navas M. D., Pantano M. V., Morphology and mechanical properties of junctions: Implications on the success of clonal spread of cacti, Journal of Arid Environments, 2016, 128:8-11, doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.01.001
A biomechanical experiment on 30 three-segment branches of Tephrocactus aoracanthus. The authors measured segment geometry, joint area, deflection and the load causing separation. The results link the greater brittleness of young joints to clonal reproduction.
Linking hydrological, geomorphological and biological properties in hyper-arid conditions: Distribution processes of a dominant clonal cactus by run-off
Almirón M. G., Martínez Carretero E. E., Navas Kaluza M. D., Rothis L. M., Linking hydrological, geomorphological and biological properties in hyper-arid conditions: Distribution processes of a dominant clonal cactus by run-off, Austral Ecology, 2019, 44(2):209-215, doi: 10.1111/aec.12665
A field experiment on the transport of Tephrocactus aoracanthus segments by water runoff after downpours. It tracked 30 marked segments in a channel and 30 beyond its reach, taking microrelief and interception by shrubs into account. The paper describes transport over hundreds of metres and changes in position after successive rains.
Identification and typification of Opuntia aulacothele and a new combination in the genus Tephrocactus (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae)
Kiesling R., Las Peñas M. L., Oakley L. J., Identification and typification of Opuntia aulacothele and a new combination in the genus Tephrocactus (Cactaceae, Opuntioideae), Bradleya, 2023, 41:95-104, doi: 10.25223/brad.n41.2023.a5
The paper concerns the identity and typification of Opuntia aulacothele and the combination Tephrocactus aulacothele. The abstract presents the relationships of this name to T. weberi, T. setiger and T. deminutus. The abstract was available. The current treatment of accepted names and synonyms was checked separately in POWO.
Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 6
[Autor nieustalony, Kaktusy i Inne — zeszyt 6, Kaktusy i Inne, 2005c, nr 6]
A 2005 issue preserved in Konrad Szychowski's private archive. Supplied excerpts include material on Ariocarpus, Copiapoa, Hylotelephium, Opuntia, Pediocactus, Sclerocactus and Tephrocactus.
Copy in the supplied material
Morphological response of a cactus to cement dust pollution
Drack J. M. E., Vázquez D. P., Morphological response of a cactus to cement dust pollution, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2018, 148:571-577, doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.10.046
The study of the response of Tephrocactus aoracanthus to cement dust combines field observations, transplanting between sites and controlled dust application. It compares spines, segment diameter and fresh and dry mass. The individual experimental setups yielded different responses in morphological traits.
Assessing success in attempts to eradicate an emerging invader plant: Tephrocactus articulatus (Pfeiff.) Backeb in arid areas of South Africa
Mokotjomela T. M., Vukeya L. R., Guo D., Mbele T. J., Xivuri T., Kuhudzai A. G., Assessing success in attempts to eradicate an emerging invader plant: Tephrocactus articulatus (Pfeiff.) Backeb in arid areas of South Africa, Journal of Arid Environments, 2024, 220:105101, doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2023.105101
An assessment of the control of introduced Tephrocactus articulatus at 16 sites in South Africa. The paper combines measurements of population changes with modelling of climatic habitat suitability. It presents treatment results and projections dependent on the climate scenario adopted.
Divergence time estimation and mapping of morphological and cytogenetical data in the southern South American geophyte genus Pterocactus (Cactaceae)
Las Peñas M. L., Bernardello G., Divergence time estimation and mapping of morphological and cytogenetical data in the southern South American geophyte genus Pterocactus (Cactaceae), Taxon, 2021, 70(3):552-569, doi: 10.1002/tax.12497
A phylogeny of ten Pterocactus species recognised at the time, based on three chloroplast markers. The paper brings together stem and spine structure, flower position, chromosome numbers and DNA content. It also includes a model-based estimate of the timing of diversification in the genus.
Pollen development and morphology in four species of Pterocactus (Cactaceae)
Gotelli M. M., Scambato A., Galati B., Kiesling R., Pollen development and morphology in four species of Pterocactus (Cactaceae), Annales Botanici Fennici, 2009, 46(5):409-415, doi: 10.5735/085.046.0505
A study of anther and pollen development in four Pterocactus species using light and scanning microscopy. It describes anther wall tissues, microspore formation, bicellular pollen and traits of its wall. It compares differences between P. australis, P. araucanus, P. hickenii and P. valentini, written as P. valentinii in the paper.
Seed germination and seedling growth of the geophytic Pterocactus tuberosus (Cactaceae)
Kin A. G., Mazzola M. B., Cenizo V. J., Seed germination and seedling growth of the geophytic Pterocactus tuberosus (Cactaceae), Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 2015, 142(4):283-291, doi: 10.3159/torrey-d-14-00056.1
Experiments on the effects of water potential, temperature and light on germination in Pterocactus tuberosus. A separate section compares the growth of young seedlings at three watering frequencies. The results describe the difference between germination conditions and drought tolerance after storage organs have formed.
Epidermal characters of Pterocactus (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae)
Faigón A., Galati B. G., Rosenfeldt S., Kiesling R., Epidermal characters of Pterocactus (Opuntioideae, Cactaceae), Haseltonia, 2011, 16(1):57-66, doi: 10.2985/1070-0048-16.1.57
A microscopic comparison of the epidermis in eight Pterocactus species. It includes descriptions of stomata, papillae on epidermal cells, cuticular sculpture and wax distribution. The authors discuss the value of these traits in distinguishing similar species.
Typification of Opuntia australis (Cactaceae) with an original plate from 1882 and history of the plant’s finding
Kiesling R., Catrix J. R., Tessier F., Schweich D., Typification of Opuntia australis (Cactaceae) with an original plate from 1882 and history of the plant’s finding, Boletín de la Sociedad Argentina de Botánica, 2021, 56(1):45-54, doi: 10.31055/1851.2372.v56.n1.30584
The history of the discovery of Pterocactus australis during the voyage of Le Volage in 1882. Analysis of Weber's notes, Heimsch's drawing and herbarium specimens leads to the designation of a neotype and an epitype for the name Opuntia australis. The paper also includes information on habitats and spine variation.