Blossfeldia liliputana

Blossfeldia liliputana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Notocacteae
Genus: Blossfeldia
Species: B. liliputana
Binomial name
Blossfeldia liliputana
Werderm.
Synonyms[1]
  • Blossfeldia atroviridis F.Ritter
  • Blossfeldia campaniflora Backeb. nom. inval.
  • Blossfeldia cryptocarpa (R.Kiesling & Piltz) Halda
  • Blossfeldia fechseri Backeb. nom. inval.
  • Blossfeldia minima F.Ritter
  • Blossfeldia pedicellata F.Ritter
  • Parodia liliputana (Werderm.) N.P. Taylor

Blossfeldia liliputana is a species of cactus native to South America in northwestern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán and Catamarca Provinces) and southern Bolivia (Potosí Department). It grows at 1,200 - 3,500 m altitude in the Andes, typically growing in rock crevices, and 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.

References and external links

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