Polaskia
{{Short description|Genus of cacti}}
{{Automatic taxobox
|image = Polaskia chichipe 01.jpg
|image_caption = Polaskia chichipe
|taxon = Polaskia
|authority = Backeb.
|subdivision_ranks = Species
|subdivision = *Polaskia chende - chende, chinoa
- Polaskia chichipe - chichipe, chichibe, chichituna
|synonyms=
|}}
Polaskia (named after American amateur Charles Polaski) is a genus of tree-like cacti reaching 4–5 m high, comprising 2 species. Both present primitive characteristics, but Polaskia chichipe is nearer to Myrtillocactus while Polaskia chende is nearer to Stenocereus. The genus is found in the Mexican states of Puebla and Oaxaca.{{cite book | last=Anderson | first=Edward F. | last2=Eggli | first2=Urs | title=Das große Kakteen-Lexikon | publication-place=Stuttgart | date=2005 | isbn=978-3-8001-4573-7 | oclc=181456857 | language=de | page=}}{{cite web | title=On-line Guide to the positive identification of Members of the Cactus Family | website=On-line Guide to the positive identification of Members of the Cactus Family | url=https://cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Polaskia | access-date=2022-10-25}}
Description
The tree-like, highly branched species of the Polaskia genus reach heights of growth of between 4 and 5 meters and form dense crowns 3 to 4 meters above the ground. Its bright green shoots repeatedly fork and grow 1 to 2 meters long. The 7 to 12 ribs are sharply triangular in cross-section. On their edges, these wear 3 to 4 millimeters wide, shield-shaped areoles at close intervals. The central spine may be absent. The 3 to 8 radial spines are greyish to blackish.
The urn- to bell-shaped flowers are white to creamy white to yellowish green. They open day and night and are between 4 and 6 centimeters long.
The red, spherical fruits with a diameter of 2 to 4 centimeters are juicy and edible. The small seeds it contains are pear- to ovoid-shaped and dull black.
Synonymy
Extant Species
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120px | Polaskia chende | chende, chinoa | Oaxaca & Puebla Mexico |
| 120px | Polaskia chichipe | chichipe, chichibe, chichituna | Oaxaca & Puebla Mexico |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Commons category-inline|Polaskia|Polaskia}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline|Polaskia|Polaskia}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q140389}}
Category:Endemic flora of Mexico
{{Cactus-stub}}