Gayana.

Botany
On-line version ISSN 0717-6643

GayanaBot.V.59n.2Conception2002
http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-66432002000200003

Gayana Bot. 59 (2): 65-72, 2002

LobiviaFEROXBRITTONETROSE(CACTACEAE)NEWRECORD
FORTHECHILEANFLORA
LobiviaFEROXBRITTONETROSE(CACTACEAE)NEWRECORD
FORTHECHILEANFLORA
Raquel Pinto B.

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
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

Concepcin. 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
21 'S, 68 27' W) and Quebrada de Coscaya alongside Oreocereus leucotrichus in
Pica (19 51 'S, 69 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 m at UTM coordinates 546682 - 3710 7856721 to my other high
density up to 15 m ejemplares/100 at UTM coordinates 546232 - 7856808 to
3,780 m in the Sierra Yarina. The highest densities of Lobivia (46 ejemplares/100
m) 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 m was recorded in UTM
coordinates 518587 - 7874065 to 3,890 ft in one ejemplar/100 m 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. 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 Concepcin 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.

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