Hatiora herminiae is a species of flowering plant in the tribe Rhipsalideae, family Cactaceae. It grows as an epiphyte in cloud forests in Southeast Brazil.

Hatiora herminiae
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Hatiora
Species:	H. herminiae
Binomial name
Hatiora herminiae (Porto & A.Cast.) Backeb. ex Barthlott[2]
Synonyms[2]
Hariota herminiae Porto & A.Cast. Rhipsalis herminiae (Porto & A.Cast.) Kimnach

Description

Hatiora herminiae is an epiphyte, growing up to about 30 cm (12 in) high, either upright or arching over. The stems are circular in cross-section, not ribbed, and are composed of segments 2–5 cm (0.8–2.0 in) long and 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. Branches occur at the ends of segments. Pink to magenta flowers are borne from areoles at the ends of stems, and are up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long, opening to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) across. Olive green berries follow the flowers.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1940 by Paulo Campos Porto [es] and Alberto Castellanos [es], as Hariota herminiae. Confusion over the status of the genus name Hariota later led to its replacement by the anagram Hatiora.[4] Like many species in the Rhipsalideae, it has also been placed in the genus Rhipsalis.[2] Molecular phylogenetic studies have firmly placed it in Hatiora.[5][6]

Distribution and habitat

Hatiora herminiae is endemic to Southeast Brazil, where it is found in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.[2][1] It grows as an epiphyte, particularly on Araucaria, in cloud forests in the Serra da Mantiqueira at elevations of around 1,500–2,000 m (4,900–6,600 ft).[1][3]

Conservation

When assessed in 2010, it was considered to be endangered, the main threat being collection for its attractive flowers, but it was also threatened by declines in habitat.[1]

References