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

1. "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 30 July 2014.

• E. Werdermann (1937). "Neue und kritische Kakteen aus den Sammelergebnissen der Reisen von Harry Bloßfeld und O. Marsoner durch Südamerika 1936/37, III" (PDF). Kakteenkunde: 161–164. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
• Edward F. Anderson, The Cactus Family (Timber Press, 2001) ISBN 0-88192-498-9, pp. 129-130
• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Blossfeldia liliputana
• Mauseth cacti research: Blossfeldia liliputana
• Cacti Guide: Blossfeldia liliputana
• Blossfeldia liliputana habitat pictures