Blossfeldia liliputiana
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| Blossfeldia liliputiana Werderm. |
Blossfeldia liliputiana is a species of cactus, native to South America in northwestern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca Provinces) and southern Bolivia (Potosà Department). It grows at 1200-3500 m altitude in the Andes, typically growing in rock crevices, often close to waterfalls.
It is of note as the smallest cactus species in the world, with a mature size of around 10-12 mm diameter. The flowers are pink, 6-15 mm long and 5-7 mm diameter.
The species is named after the fictional country Lilliput where all the inhabitants are minute. The spelling is often cited as liliputana, but under the provisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature this is an orthographic error to be corrected to liliputiana.
[edit] References and external links
- Anderson, E. F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Cambridge. ISBN 0881924989.
- Germplasm Resources Information Network: Blossfeldia liliputiana
- Mauseth cacti research: Blossfeldia liliputana
- Cacti Guide: Blossfeldia liliputana
