Gayana.   Botany On-line version  ISSN 0717-6643

Gayana Bot. V.59 n.2 Conception 2002

http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-66432002000200003 

Gayana Bot. 59 (2): 65-72, 2002

Lobivia FEROX BRITTON ET ROSE (CACTACEAE) NEW RECORD FOR THE CHILEAN FLORA

Lobivia FEROX BRITTON ET ROSE (CACTACEAE) NEW RECORD  FOR THE CHILEAN FLORA

Raquel Pinto B. 1

ABSTRACT

Is recorded for the first time Lobivia ferox Britton et Rose (Cactaceae) in the highlands of Tarapaca, northern Chile, constituting a range extension for this species. The description of the species and phenological and ecological aspects are detailed.

P ALABRAS KEYWORDS : Cactaceae, Lobivia ferox , new record, Chilean flora.

ABSTRACT

Lobivia ferox Britton et Rose (Cactaceae) is a new record for the Chilean flora, The Known expanding range of distribution of this species to the highlands of Tarapaca, northern Chile. This study includes a description of the species and phenological and ecological observations.

K eywords : Cactaceae, Lobivia ferox , new record, Chilean Flora

INTRODUCTION

In September 2000 the Municipality of Iquique moved 100 copies of Echinopsis atacamensis (Phil.) GD Rowley et Freidrich from the Chilean Altiplano, Panavinto village (3,800 m), the park Cavancha Beach on the coast. We traveled to Panavinto for the place where the cacti were extracted and record the resulting environmental damage. We found to our surprise a beautiful community of about 3,000 copies. Including many juveniles. In this community we noticed the presence of a spherical cactus spines long and did not correspond to any of those recorded in the highlands of northern Chile. It was Lobivia ferox, a new record for the Chilean flora, so we decided to start their study.

Gender Lobivia was described by Britton et Rose in 1922. It belongs to the family Cactaceae, subfamily Cereoidae tribe Trichocereae (F. Buxb.). The name Lobivia is an anagram of Bolivia, as a typical group of the country. The boundary between genres Lobivia, Echinopsis and Trichocereus is difficult to define. Currently there is a tendency to unite all under the genus Echinopsis. accepted the inclusion of Trichocereus in Echinopsis, as well as Lobivia inEchinopsis, which according to the botanical Roberto Kiesling and Roberto Vasquez is questionable (personal communication). The genus inhabits the Andean highlands of Peru, Bolivia and

Argentina. Currently Brako and Zarucchi (1993) cited 33 species and 16 varieties for Peru, Kiesling (1999) cites 18 species to 23 species for Bolivia and Argentina. In the checklist of 190 species of cacti appear Lobivia ( Hunt 1992 ).

Description of the genus Lobivia (adapted from Britton et Rose, 1922 3:49 Cact.. ) : globular to shortly cylindrical plant. Single or clustered. Ribs with many thorns. Diurnal flowers shaped short flared, funnel arrangement side, originate in ancient areolas, in some species close to the apex and other along the sides of the plant. Short and wide floral tube. Red Flower in the type species, but other yellow or white. Scales of the ovary usually with long hairs in the armpits. Small, globular fruit. The characteristic of this genus is the flower shape with the presence of a dense ring of hairs inside the floral tube under the stamens.

Description Lobivia ferox ( Britton et Rose 1922 ) : Plant globular diameter 30 cm or more. Of fibrous roots. Ribs numerous, often 29 or more, very wavy and broken into thin, sharp tubers 2-3 cm long. Thorns light brown, sometimes mottled. 10-12 radial spines, are slim 4-6 cm long somewhat curved. 3 or 4 central spines curved upwards of 10 to 15 cm long, somewhat flattened in vertical rows rather weak. Woolly Buttons. Flowers and fruits not seen.

The species was described by R. et Br based on a plant that was collected in the hills east of Oruro, Bolivia, in 1914. Curt subsequently transferred to the genus Backeberg Pseudolobivia (Backeb.) Backeb., staying as P. ferox( Britton et Rose ) Backeb, Stachlige Wildnis. 219, 1942 . But in 1975 Walter Rausch , the largest specialistLobivia, kept as L. ferox. In 1985 Rausch published a second revision of this genus.

Synonyms: Lobivia longispina Britton et Rose,. L. ferox var. camargensis Ritter , L. ducis-pauli Fric. ; Echinopsis longispina ( R et Br .) Backeb. ; E. ferox Backeb. ; lecoriensis E. Cardenas

Varieties: L. ferox var . longispina ( Britton et Rose. ) Rausch and L. ferox var. Potosi (Werderm.) Rausch.

Geographical Distribution: Far North West Argentina (25 ° 91'S, 65 ° 20'W) in Salta and Jujuy (above 2,000 m altitude) to Bolivia (18 ° S, 67 ° W) in the Department of Oruro.

METHODS

Á REA STUDY : The study was conducted in November 2001 and February 2002, in the highlands of the First Region, northern Chile, 300 km inland from Iquique above 3,700 m altitude ( Fig. 1 ). From conversations with Aymara shepherds we define four sectors presence of L. ferox : 1. Sierra Yarina versus Salar de Coipasa, Panavinto, Cariquima. Two. Sierra Chilani northwestern Cariquima ( Fig. 2 ). Three. Cerro Coraguane, Arabilla ravine and 4. This Enquelga, Isluga river Colchane.

Figure 1. Location of the sectors where the presence of detected Lobivia ferox , in the highlands of Iquique. * Study sites.

Density was measured at Sierra Sierra Chilani Yarina and in 4 and 5 quadrants of 10 x 10 m along an altitudinal transect. The size structure of the population was recorded by measuring height and diameter of plants. Status of the population was also recorded, counting number of dead specimens.

Figure. Two. Altitudinal distribution density Lobivia ferox in the high Andean sector of the Tarapaca region.

The specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the University of Concepción. Numerous specimens were examined carefully observing their features, in order to get a detailed description of the species by providing new information. With cuts herbarium had great difficulty, since this species has a watery tissue that oxidizes easily acquiring an orange to black.

M ATERIAL STUDIED

CHILE, Region I, Province of Iquique: Commune Colchane, Cerro Pacocollo, Sierra Yarina 19th-68th 23'S 33'W, 3710 m, 11/02/01, PINTO & kirberg No. 155293 10 (CONC).

Cerro Jilimani, Sierra Chilani, 19th-68th 26'S 40'W, 3794 m, 02/02/02, PINTO & kirberg No. 155291 16 155294 11 155295 13 December (CONC).

Saw Huaillas alongside atacamensis Equinopsis in the commune of Colchane (19 º 21 'S, 68 º 27' W) and Quebrada de Coscaya alongside Oreocereus leucotrichus in Pica (19 º 51 'S, 69 º 02' W), PINTO & kirberg.

RESULTS

Habitat Description: Grows in a narrow altitudinal band between 3,700 and 4,000 m. Inhabits slopes of 20 to 30 ° tilt, orientation N, NE and E in white volcanic rock soil in rock crevices or open stony ground. Also under the bushes as Baccharis, Senecio, Fabiana . Shares its habitat with other cacti as atacamensis Echinopsis and 3 species of Opuntia , O. Echinaceae, O. and O. ignescens soehrensii . The Table I presents a list of the registered plant species associated with L. ferox.

Table I. Flora associated Lobivia ferox.

Density: The distribution is quite heterogeneous, being low density areas with 1

ejemplar/100 m² at UTM coordinates 546682 - 3710 7856721 to my other high density up to 15 m² ejemplares/100 at UTM coordinates 546232 - 7856808 to 3,780 m in the Sierra Yarina. The highest densities of Lobivia (46 ejemplares/100 m²) were recorded at 3,850 m in the Sierra Chilani ( Fig. 2 ). In Enquelga density is lower, in the Quebrada de Arabilla is 4 ejemplares/100 m² was recorded in UTM coordinates 518587 - 7874065 to 3,890 ft in one ejemplar/100 m² Isluga river at coordinates UTM 522672-7872908 to 3,949 m.

This state of the population: It was found that about 70% of the population of Lobivia is alive, a total of 139 plants measures, including individuals of all ages.

Plant size: The population of L. ferox shows a normal distribution with ranges of all sizes, individuals recorded from 1 to 45 cm high. However, the vast majority are between 10 and 15 cm high. The Figure   3  shows the size structure of the population of Sierra and Sierra Chilani Yarina.

Figure 3. Frequency distribution of stems Lobivia ferox

Description of the plant: Grows solitary or in groups. The globular shape can be lonely or depressed. The grouped form the observed in 26% of the population in individuals of all sizes. These are usually groups of 2-9 heads. The largest recorded specimen formed a cushion of 55 cm in diameter and 30 cm high composed of 20 heads. This form is produced by budding stem, as they have a single root. Thickened root tuberous or fibrous branches. Numerous ribs (25-30), biased, wide (1 to 1.5 cm wide) and deep (1 cm high). Acute Tuber 2 cm long and 1 cm high. The cross section presents a wide central vein xylem well, a stem diameter of 16 cm having a central vein of 10 cm diameter. Epidermis bluish green in the depressed form, that aging is changing to yellow and red tones. Areolas with gray felt, oval 1.5 cm long by 0.6 cm wide. Hard spines, up 18 per areola. 5 to 7 larger central spines 7 to 12 cm long, thick and curved upward, some ending in hook. In some cases, long spines become spiraled. 9 to 11 smaller, thin and some horizontal some 1.5 to 3.5 cm long radial spines. Spines gray brown or whitish yellow, darker at the tip, red candles and evergreen. In adult specimens solitary basal spines age, blacken and become brittle. The most common pattern is very thorny ways ( Fig. 4 B ) there are shapes with few spines ( Fig. 4 C ), which usually occurs in smaller ways and depressed. It seems that more cylindrical shapes have many thorns and long fibrous roots and narrow and depressed forms have few bones and wide tuberous root with few branches. The Table II shows morphological variations of L. ferox .

Figure 4. A. ferox Lobivia in their environment. B. Form thorny. C. Method of short spines. D. pink flower. E. Longitudinal section of flower. F. Longitudinal section of fruit (A. Kirberg photos).

Table II. Morphological variation of stem and root, measured in cm.

Description of flower and fruit: Flowers lateral, large, 11 cm long, pink or white. Born of 6-8 cm from the apex, in the 3rd or 4th areola forming a crown. 3 to 7 sprout flowers per plant ( Fig. 4 B and D ). Individuals clear yellowish white

flowers have thorns and spines dark gray individuals have pink flowers. Open a single day without perfume. Very hairy ovary, floral tube hairy, with long, fleshy pink flakes coffee. Whitish or blackish brown hairs.Shaggy button when you start the development. Mature sepals button with spiral wrap. Petals 6 mm wide with pointed toes 12 white interiors 9 pale pink, 17 pink more intense. 18 pink sepals sepals coffee and 14 thereof outwardly curved color. Pistil and stigma green lemon 7 cm long not exceeding the stamens. Stigma 1.5 cm long has 10 divisions. Stamens with clear white anthers and filaments 1 mm, arranged in several series of different heights (11). The above series is spaced 0.5 cm from the subsequent. Stigma reaches the penultimate series of stamens (Fig. 4 E). Fruit spherical 2.5 to 4.5 cm in diameter and 3-5 cm high, dark green with reddish green scales and hairs in the axils of these. Thin shell (1.5 mm thick). Keeps dry flower punch. In a fruit around 3,100 small black seeds 1.5 mm high and 1 mm wide, embedded in a white pulp (counted Fig. 4 F ). When cutting the fruit pulp is readily apparent entire shell. It takes 1-2 months to mature. The fruit is ripe when it produces a lateral hole near the top. It is very difficult to dislodge the fruit that is protected by thorns, you can only remove it along with the areola. Plants from 10 cm in diameter produce flowers. Not all flowers bear fruit. We found 12 plants to dried flowers and plants with up to 6 fruits. Button presents in November, December and fruit flower in January and February.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Friedrich Ritter (1980) and Adriana Hoffmann (1989) tell the story of a cactus collected by Knize in northern Chile (unspecified location) and grown in Europe under the name of Lobivia chilensis . Neither could find on his expeditions. Will be for Lobivia ferox ?

Rausch (1975) mentions the nomen nudum of L. chilensis as a synonym of L. backebergii var . wrightiana Backeb.(P. 20), including the northern tip of Chile (Tacora) in its range (p. 21) and an illustration of it (p. 23). In 1985 (p.136) mentions L. chilensis nn under L. wrightiana. Moreover, Ritter 1980, vol. 3 P.. 865, mentions L. chilensisnn with doubt, and did not see anything in Tacora. Comparing a copy of Panavinto and cut flower with a picture of L. chilensis Adriana Hoffmann would forward gently, we can find many similarities, however L. chilensiscorresponds better to L. wrightiana Backbg. present in Bolivia, thus finding L. ferox not solve the ancient riddle.

Lobivia ferox cactus is a large and beautiful flowers, which produces rich edible fruit of a nice fresh flavor, crisp white flesh and black seeds. seems that many different forms of thorns or spines have little relation to plant age , but not the solitary or clustered forms. In some places it is abundant, but in others very little. In areas of higher density are present juveniles. ¾ of the population is living. This reflects a relatively good state of preservation, but still do not know its latitudinal range in Chilean territory. Not rule out that maybe it's the same situation for the distribution of Echinopsis atacamensis, that in Region I is present only in Yarina Sierra and Sierra Chilani and perhaps in Sierra Huailla. This sector corresponds precisely to a triangle ventures in Bolivia. Both species L. feroxand E. atacamensis, are typically Bolivian.

The finding Lobivia ferox is a new record for the Chilean flora and helps to expand the range of distribution of this species to the west. Despite being new to the Chilean flora species, no Aymara peasant who does not know the "sancave" and you have not eaten fruit.

Acknowledgements

I thank Dr. Beat Leuenberger of the Botanical Museum Berlin in Germany and Professor Clodomiro Marticorena University of Concepción for their suggestions and comments on the manuscript. Dr. Martin Lowry of England, Dr. Roberto Kiesling of Argentina, Dr. Roberto Vasquez of Bolivia, Dr. Carlos Ostolaza Adriana Hoffmann of Peru and Chile, all of them I appreciate your valuable information.

REFERENCES

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Backeberg, C. 1942. Neue Arten aus "Stachlige Wildnis". Species in Repertorium Novalum Regni Vegetabilis 51: 61-65. [  Links  ]

Backeberg, C. 1943. Stachlige Wildnis. 80,000 km durch die Urwelt Americas. Two. Aufl. Neudamm und Berlin. 1 portrait, viii, 422 p., 90 pl., 5 maps and text, 3 pl. [  Links  ]

Brako L. & JL Zarucchi. 1993. Catalogue of the Flowering Plants and Gymnosperms of Peru. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden, USA, 45: 1-1286. [  Links  ]

Britton, NL & JL, Rose. 1922. The Cactaceae, 3. Carnegie Institution, Publ. No. 248, Washington. [  Links  ]

Hoffmann, 1989 AE. Cacti in the Wild Flora of Chile. Ed Claudio Gay Foundation, Santiago. 272 pp. [  Links  ]

Hunt, D. 1992. CITES Cactaceae Checklist. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, pp 160. [  Links  ]

Kiesling, R, 1999. Les Cactées of Bolivie. Suc-culentes, numéro spécial, pp. 3-48. [  Links  ]

Rausch, W. 1975, 1977. Lobivia I-II-III. Wien. [  Links  ]

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http://www.med-phys.hull.ac.uk/Lobivia/Orig / index.shtml Lobivia Names Database