Weingartia is a genus in the family Cactaceae, with species native to Bolivia and Argentina. It was formerly included in Rebutia, but molecular phylogenetic evidence suggested that it was distinct from that genus. As of December 2024[update], it was treated as separate genus by Plants of the World Online, and recognized as an alternative generic name in the third edition of the CITES Cactaceae Checklist. It may also be treated as Rebutia subg. Weingartia.

Description

Weingartia hediniana (syn. Weingartia lanata) in flower

Plants usually solitary. Stems globose to oblong, to 20 cm high and 15 cm, rarely 30 cm in diameter, fresh green. Ribs 12 – 18, spiraling, forming distinct tubercles. Areoles on the tubercle in excentric position, sunken in its higher part. Spines more robust and thick, 7 – 35 in one areole, radial spines 1 – 3 cm long, central spines 3 – 4, to 5 cm long. Flowers borne near the stem tips, one areole can produce up to 3 flowers, golden yellow to orange to reddish yellow, 1 – 3 cm in diameter. Floral tube scales broad and imbricated. Fruits globose to ovoid, brownish. Seeds oblong, 1 mm long, black or brown.[citation needed]

Taxonomy

The genus Weingartia was designated in 1937 by Werdermann to replace the invalid genus Spegazzinia Backeberg. All species of the genus Weingartia were transferred to the genus Rebutia by the International Cactaceae Systematics Group (ICSG) of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study.

A study in 2007 indicated that the genus Rebutia as then defined was polyphyletic. Sulcorebutia and Weingartia were kept as separate genera in the study; a summary cladogram for those species studied is shown below.

Rebutia I (R. pseudodeminuta, R. fiebrigii, R. deminuta, R. pygmaea, R. steinmannii and R. einsteinii) (now included in Aylostera) Other genera Browningia hertingiana Browningia candelaris Rebutia II (R. minuscula and R. padcayensis) (Rebutia sensu stricto) Sulcorebutia, Weingartia and Cintia
Rebutia I (R. pseudodeminuta, R. fiebrigii, R. deminuta, R. pygmaea, R. steinmannii and R. einsteinii) (now included in Aylostera) Other genera
Rebutia I (R. pseudodeminuta, R. fiebrigii, R. deminuta, R. pygmaea, R. steinmannii and R. einsteinii) (now included in Aylostera)
Other genera
Browningia hertingiana Browningia candelaris Rebutia II (R. minuscula and R. padcayensis) (Rebutia sensu stricto) Sulcorebutia, Weingartia and Cintia
Browningia hertingiana
Browningia candelaris Rebutia II (R. minuscula and R. padcayensis) (Rebutia sensu stricto) Sulcorebutia, Weingartia and Cintia
Browningia candelaris Rebutia II (R. minuscula and R. padcayensis) (Rebutia sensu stricto)
Browningia candelaris
Rebutia II (R. minuscula and R. padcayensis) (Rebutia sensu stricto)
Sulcorebutia, Weingartia and Cintia

Species formerly classified as Weingartia, Sulcorebutia and Cintia show a close relationship to each other. As of December 2024[update], Sulcorebutia and Cintia are included in Weingartia by Plants of the World Online.

Species

As of December 2024[update], the following species were accepted by Plants of the World Online]:

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Weingartia alba (Rausch) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia arenacea (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia breviflora (Backeb.) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia candiae (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia canigueralii (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia.
Weingartia cantargalloensis (Gertel, Jucker & J.de Vries) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia cardenasiana (R.Vásquez) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia cintia (Hjertson) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia.
Weingartia corroana (Cárdenas) CárdenasBolivia
Weingartia crispata (Rausch) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia cuprea (Rausch) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia.
Weingartia cylindrica (Donald & A.B.Lau) F.H.BrandtCentral Bolivia
Weingartia fidana (Backeb.) Werderm.Bolivia
Weingartia fischeriana (K.Augustin) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia frankiana (Rausch) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia frey-juckeri Diers & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia glomeriseta (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia hediniana Backeb.Bolivia
Weingartia heliosoides (P.Lechner & Draxler) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia juckeri (Gertel) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia losenickyana (Rausch) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia mentosa (F.Ritter) F.H.BrandtBolivia.
Weingartia mizquensis (Rausch) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia neocumingii Backeb.Bolivia
Weingartia neumanniana (Backeb.) Werderm.Bolivia to Argentina (Jujuy)
Weingartia purpurea Donald & A.B.LauCentral Bolivia
Weingartia steinbachii (Werderm.) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia taratensis (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia tarijensis F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia tiraquensis (Cárdenas) F.H.BrandtBolivia
Weingartia torotorensis CárdenasBolivia (Potosí)
Weingartia vasqueziana (Rausch) Hentzschel & K.AugustinBolivia
Weingartia westii (Hutchison) DonaldBolivia

Distribution

Andes mountains of central and south Bolivia and northwest Argentina at elevations of 1600 – 3600 m.[citation needed]

Literature

  • Augustin K.: Weingartia: history, description and reclassification. Cactus & Co. 7. (2): 91–126, 2003
  • Ritter Fr.: Kakteen in Südamerika, Spangenberg, 1980.
  • Anderson E. F.: The Cactus Family, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2001.