Pilosocereus mollispinus
| Pilosocereus mollispinus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Pilosocereus |
| Species: | P. mollispinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pilosocereus mollispinus P.J. Braun & Esteves
| |
Pilosocereus mollispinus is a species of cactus native to Brazil.[1]
Description
Pilosocereus mollispinus is a shrubby cactus that reaches heights of up to 2.3 meters. The dark green to grayish-green shoots have a diameter of up to 8.5 centimeters and have 13 to 16 ribs. The areoles are spaced 7 to 12 millimeters apart, and have 13 to 16 soft, flexible non-prickly gray spines. The radial spines are up to 1.3 centimeters long, and the central spines are up to 2.3 centimeters long. Stems have little to no cephalium.
The funnel-shaped flowers are about 4.5 centimeters long and reach a diameter of up to 3.4 centimeters. The flower tube is green, and the bracts are white. The fruits are greenish, having a diameter of up to 3 centimeters and contain white flesh. The fruits contain small, black seeds.[2]
Taxonomy
Pilosocereus mollispinus was described 2004[3] by Pierre Josef Braun and Eddie Esteves. The specific epithet "mollispinus" refers to the soft spines.
References
- ^ "Pilosocereus mollispinus P.J.Braun & Esteves". Plants of the World Online. Kew Science. Retrieved 2025-10-06.
- ^ Braun, Pierre J.; Esteves Pereira, Eddie (March 2004). "A new species of Cactaceae from the state of Goias and comments on other Pilosocereus species from Central Brazil". Cactus and Succulent Journal. 76 (2). Los Angeles: 73–82 – via ResearchGate.
- ^ "Pilosocereus mollispinus | International Plant Names Index". www.ipni.org. Retrieved 2025-10-06.