Blossfeldia liliputana

Taxobox
name = "Blossfeldia liliputana"


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Cactaceae
subfamilia = Cactoideae
tribus = Notocacteae
genus = "Blossfeldia"
species = "B. liliputana"
binomial = "Blossfeldia liliputana"
binomial_authority = Werderm.

"Blossfeldia liliputana" is a species of cactus native to South America in northwestern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, 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. The spelling is often cited as "liliputana", but under the provisions of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature this is an orthographic error to be corrected to "liliputiana". No official change has been made as for now.

References and external links

*Anderson, E. F. (2001). "The Cactus Family". Cambridge. ISBN 0881924989.
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?451100 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Blossfeldia liliputana"]
* [http://web.biosci.utexas.edu/mauseth/ResearchOnCacti/large%20photo%20Blossfeld%20liliput%20plants.htm Mauseth cacti research: "Blossfeldia liliputana"]
* [http://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Blossfeldia&species=liliputana Cacti Guide: "Blossfeldia liliputana"]