Echidnopsis Explained

Echidnopsis should not be confused with Echinopsis.

Echidnopsis is a genus of succulent, cactus-like plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1871.^[1] They are native to eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.^{[2] [3]}

Accepted species^[4]

Species formerly included^[4] Echidnopsis quadrangula now Caralluma quadrangula

Taxonomy Phylogenetic studies have shown the genus to be monophyletic, and most closely related to the genus Rhytidocaulon. Marginally more distantly related is a sister branch comprising the genus Pseudolithos and the widespread Caralluma stapeliads of North Africa.^[5]

Notes and References

1. http://www.botanicus.org/page/439845 Hooker, Joseph Dalton. 1871. Botanical Magazine v 97, plate 5930.
2. http://www.asclepiad-exhibition.org/Notes_Echidnopsis_-_Fockea.htm Asclepiad Exhibition, Echidnopsis Fockea
3. Web site: Wildscreen Arkive . 2014-09-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140306142613/http://www.arkive.org/echidnopsis/echidnopsis-bentii/ . 2014-03-06 . dead .
4. http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/search?q=Echidnopsis The Plant List, genus Echidnopsis
5. P. Bruyns, C. Klak, P. Hanacek: Evolution of the stapeliads (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae) - repeated major radiation across Africa in an Old World group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 2014. v. 77, no. 1, p. 251--263. ISSN 1055-7903.