Kroenleinia Gen. nov. J.Lodé 2014 : A new genus for a well-known cactus: Echinocactus grusonii Kroenleinia grusonii, A necessary name for a misleading taxon. Exotic garden of Monaco. © J.L KROENLEINIA J.Lodé 2014 (Cactoideae-Cacteae) • ETYMOLOGY A genus dedicated to Marcel Kroenlein (1928-1994), Monegasque, director of the famous Jardin Exotique de Monaco (1969 to 1993), where we can admire magnificent specimens. • BASIONYM Echinocactus grusonii Hildmann H., in Monatsschrift für Kakteenkunde 1: 4 (1891). (Lectotype : illustr. cited, plant in Hort. Gruson, Magdebourg, Germany). • DESCRIPTION Monotypic genus of globular to short columnar plants up to 2 m high, flat to slightly depressed at the apex, solitary or branched from the base in age. Stems with many ribs (up to 40), apex densely covered with wool. Large areoles, generally elongated, close, joined in adult plants, without nectar glands. Spines are strong, cross-ribbed, centrals and radials same length. 25 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Flowers diurnal, appearing in the apical wool, shortly funnel-shaped to bell-shaped, yellow, with scales with brownish thorns, pollinated by bees. Fruits elongated, fleshy with a white pulp, becoming dry when mature, indehiscent, densely covered with scales and wool. Seeds oval, smooth, shiny, brown. • COMMENTS Echinocactus is a genus in which has long included K. grusonii, which is a problematic genus: despite an apparent homogeneity, Echinocactus is polyphyletic. Molecular data of Butterworth et al. (2002) confirm the conclusion of Cota & Wallace (1997) on the fact that Echinocactus grusonii is more related to members of the Ferocactus genus (especially F. histrix and F. glaucescens) than the other species of the clade Echinocactus. The hypothesis of a hybrid origin for E. grusonii leaves little doubt. Molecular study is based on chloroplast DNA alone, as it is inherited from the mother plant, it is likely that we are in presence of a hybrid between Ferocactus (mother plant) and Echinocactus. Of course, this hypothesis would be strengthened if the research is focused on other DNA markers, which would include the nucleus. So the expectation prevails, but we can already say that we are probably in a statement of reticulate evolution within the genus Echinocactus. All this does not preclude adding that if Echinocactus grusonii is a hybrid, it is now a separate species. Although we have identified possible links of relationship, its flowers and fruits make it morphologically closer to the genus Echinocactus (including E. polycephalus) than Ferocactus. On the contrary, the seeds do not resemble those of E. polycephalus. Although it is possible to change its taxonomy and create a new genus for it, we still lack additional data to go further, so it is given Echinocactus grusonii a kind of status “wait and see”. But in 2011, in their respective molecular studies, Hernández-Hernández et al. and Barcenas Kroenleinia grusonii in CANTE, Guanajuato. Right, fruit with longitudinal dehiscence. © J.L 26 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Marcel Kroenlein in Baja-California Photo : © Jean-Marie Solichon. et al., then Vázquez-Sánchez et al. (2013) confirm the basal position of Echinocactus grusonii separated from the rest of Echinocactus, which allows me to think that a monotypic genus can be created and is endorsed with the creation of the new genus Kroenleinia (J.Lodé 2014): if Echinocactus grusonii is not an Echinocactus nor a Ferocactus, then we must change its name! Vázquez-Sánchez et al. (2013) go even further and suggest that all types included in their clade A [Ferocactus, Glandulicactus, Leuchtenbergia, Stenocactus (= Echinofossulocactus), E. grusonii et Thelocactus] should be considered as Ferocactus until new evidence is available. E. grusonii being in a basal situation, I propose that it be considered a genus of its own: Kroenleinia grusonii, thus avoiding an unfortunate amalgam and especially the problem of priority which would require to reinstall all taxa of these genera in Leuchtenbergia. The genus Kroenleinia is considered as correct in this work, but it remains further researches to be made. → actually only one species: Kroenleinia grusonii (Hildm.) J.Lodé 2014 (ex Echinocactus grusonii Hildm. 1891) 27 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Kroenleinia grusonii, a very old, superb specimen at the Jardin Exotique de Monaco. 28 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES © J.L • HABITAT The genus Kroenleinia grows among bushes and herbs, on stony soils, rather mineral than organic, usually limestone, also alluvial soils, or on rocky slopes, on the edge of ravines, from 1400 to about 2000 m above sea level, with other cacti. Annual precipitation is usually 500-700 mm, falling between June and September, and winter is punctuated by short frosts. There is a significant disjunction habitat, and at 550 km from plants commonly known but becoming extremely rare in their habitat, it was discovered in 2005, in Zacatecas, a rich population that exclusively grows on volcanic cliffs. • DISTRIBUTION Mexico (Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas). Text & photos: JL. I especially want to thank Mr. Jean-Marie Solichon, Director of Exotic Garden of Monaco for the photo of Marcel Kroenlein. Kroenleinia grusonii variants, with var. brevispina, var. albispina and f. monstruosa. © J.L BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES: BárCENAS rolando T., Yesson Chris, & Hawkins Julie A. 2011. Molecular systematics of the Cactaceae. Cladistics 27:470–489. BuTTErWOrTH Charles A., Cota-Sánchez Hugo J. & Wallace robert S. 2002. Molecular systematics of tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae: Cactoideae): a phylogeny based on rpl16 intron sequence variation. Systematic Botany 27(2): 257-270. COTA SáNCHEZ, J. Hugo & Wallace robert S. 1997. Chloroplast DNA evidence for divergence in Ferocactus and its relationships to North American columnar cacti (Cactaceae: Cactoideae). Systematic Botany 22: 529-542. HErNáNDEZ-HErNáNDEZ Tania, Hernández Héctor M., De-Nova J. Arturo, Puente raúl, Eguiarte Luis E., Magallón Susana. 2011. Phylogenetic relationships and evolution of growth form in Cactaceae (Caryophyllales, Eudicotyledoneae). Am J Bot. (1):44-61. LODÉ Joël. 2015. Taxonomy of the Cactaceae (à paraître). VáZQuEZ-SáNCHEZ Monserrat, Terrazas Teresa, Arias Salvador. & Ochoterena Helga. 2013. Molecular phylogeny, origin and taxonomic implications of the tribe Cacteae (Cactaceae). Systematics and Biodiversity, 11:1, 103-116. 29 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES NEW COMBINATIONS For taxonomical reasons, it was necessary to modify the name of the following taxa: Micranthocereus flaviflorus subsp. alvinii (Machado & Hofacker) J.Lodé 2014 Comb. nov. Basionym: Micranthocereus polyanthus ssp. alvinii Machado & Hofacker, Kakteen And. Sukk. 55(5): 127 (-133; figs.) 2004. Type : Brazil, Bahia, Mun. Morro de Chapéu, near Morro de Chapéu mountains, 8 jul. 2003, M. Machado 32 (HuEFS). In 2010, one of the authors of the original description, Marlon Machado, noted that this taxon should be included in M. flaviflorus, not in M. polyanthus as previously stated. Here is the new combination made according to the rules. Maihueniopsis reicheana (Espinosa) F.Kattermann & J.Lodé 2014 Comb. nov. Maihueniopsis reicheana (Espinosa) Kattermann, Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 83(4): 155, figs. 26-27 (p. 157), 2011. Nom. inval. (Art. 33.4). Basionym: Opuntia reicheana Espinosa, Bol. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat. Santiago de Chile 18: 31, tab. 6-10, 12, fig. 3, 4. 1940. Type : Chile, Baños del Toro, Cordillera del Elqui, Jan. 1936, Espinosa M., s/n (SGO). Synonym: Tephrocactus reicheanus (Espinosa) Backeb., Cactaceae (Backeberg) 1: 284. 1958. Based on Opuntia reicheana, unfortunately, this taxon was omitted by Kattermann, as well as the basionym and type, making it a nom. inval. (Art. 33.4.), that I wished to validate here. Opuntia gaumeri J.Lodé 2014 Comb nov. Basionym: Nopalea gaumeri Britt. & rose, The Cactaceae 1: 216, 1919. Type : Mexico, Yucatán near Sisal, Mar. 1916, G.F. Gaumer 23250 (NY). Nopalea being reinstalled within the genus Opuntia (see Taxonomie des Cactaceae, to be published soon), it was necessary to include Nopalea gaumeri within Opuntia, which is done here. Note that in the New Cactus Lexicon, Hunt et al. (2006), consider this taxon as a synonym of Nopalea inaperta (= O. inaperta), which is in fact a plant with a very different shape. Opuntia velizii J.Lodé 2014 Comb nov. Basionym: Nopalea guatemalensis rose, Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 50: 330, t. 41, 42. 1907. Type : Guatemala, El Progreso, near El rancho, alt. 270m., 5 Apr. 1905, Maxon & Hay 3774 (uS, photo, F-044751). Opuntia guatemalensis already existing name but designate another taxon described by Britton & rose in 1919, Nopalea being reinstalled within the genus Opuntia (see Taxonomie des Cactaceae, to be published soon), it was necessary to give Nopalea guatemalensis a new name, which is done here with Opuntia velizii J.Lodé. It honours Mario Véliz, specialist of Guatemala flora, particularly Cactaceae and other succulents. Mario is also author a book, « Las Cactáceas de Guatemala ». J.Lodé 30 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES Micranthocereus flaviflorus subsp. alvinii © Christophe Assalit Left. : Opuntia guatemalensis; right : the ex Nopalea guatemalensis, changed into Opuntia velizii. © Mario Véliz 31 CACTUS-AVENTURES International N° 102 International CACTUS-ADVENTURES