Polaskia
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Polaskia is a genus of plants from the cactus family(Cactaceae). The botanical name of the genus honors the American cactus lover Charles Polaski (1898–1986).
description
The tree-like, highly branched species of the genus Polaskia reach heights of growth between 4 and 5 meters and form dense crowns 3 to 4 meters above the ground. Their bright green shoots fork repeatedly and become 1 to 2 meters long. The 7 to 12 ribs are sharply triangular in cross section. On their margins, these are closely spaced 3 to 4 millimeters wide, shield-shaped areoles . The central spine may be missing. The 3 to 8 radial spines are grayish to blackish.
The urn- to bell-shaped flowers are white to creamy white to yellowish green. They open day and night and are between 4 and 6 inches long.
The red, spherical fruits, 2 to 4 centimeters in diameter, are juicy and edible. The small seeds it contains are pear- to egg-shaped and matt black.
Systematics and distribution
The genus Polaskia is distributed in the south of Mexico in the states of Oaxaca and Puebla . The first description of the genus was made in 1949 by Curt Backeberg .
The genus includes the two species:
- Polaskia chende (Rol.-Goss.) ACGibson & KEHorak
- Polaskia chichipe (Rol.-Goss.) Backeb.
Synonyms of the genus are Chichipia Backeb. and Heliabravoa Backeb.
proof
literature
- Edward F. Anderson : The Great Cactus Lexicon . Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8001-4573-1 , p. 547 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Leaves for succulents . Volume 1, p. 4, Volksdorf 1949
- ^ Edward F. Anderson : The great cactus lexicon . Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8001-4573-1 , p. 547 .
