Scientific taxonomy article
Accepted name and nomenclatural basis
The currently accepted name is Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb. Backeberg's combination was published in 1942 and is based on Lamarck's 1785 name Cactus cylindricus.12 The species has historically been combined in genera including Cereus, Opuntia, and Cylindropuntia, so the accepted name must be distinguished from its nomenclatural history.
A 2023 neotypification study reassessed the historical evidence and designated a specimen of Ecuadorian origin as the neotype.3 Neotypification does not create a new species name; it fixes the application of the existing name to a physical reference specimen.
Systematic position
The species belongs to Cactaceae > Opuntioideae > Pterocacteae > Austrocylindropuntia. This page updates the species level only and does not regenerate the previously researched genus and tribal nodes. Within the genus, A. cylindrica is evaluated through its cylindrical, conspicuously tuberculate segments, fleshy leaves on young growth, and stems that can become woody with age.4
Diagnostic morphology
World Flora Online describes a shrub or small tree reaching about two metres. The segments are dark or bluish green, cylindrical, and marked by rhomboid tubercles. Fleshy leaves on young growth can be relatively persistent but eventually fall. Areoles commonly bear two to five spines, and the flowers are recorded as scarlet.4
A single product photograph is not sufficient for a secure identification. Segment surface, leaf persistence, areoles and spines, and where available flowers and fruits should be considered together. An alt label or an AI-generated commercial scene is not a taxonomic voucher.
Native and introduced distribution
The Kew backbone records the native range as Central Colombia, Ecuador, and north-western Peru.1 Algeria, the Canary Islands, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Free State, Morocco, New South Wales, New Zealand South Island, and Victoria are listed as introduced areas.1 These layers must remain separate: a naturalized population does not make a region part of the native range.
Conservation status
Kew's IUCN integration records the species as NT — Near Threatened.5 This differs from the earlier LC value in the live dictionary record and should be corrected with the current source attached. Modelled extinction-risk predictions and the official IUCN category are treated as separate evidence.
Synonymy
The 2026 Kew backbone lists nine synonyms: five homotypic and four heterotypic names.1 Cactus cylindricus is the basionym; Cereus cylindricus, Cylindropuntia cylindrica, Echinocactus cylindricus, and Opuntia cylindrica are combinations based on the same type. Austrocylindropuntia intermedia, Cactus coranarius, Cylindropuntia intermedia, and Opuntia bradleyi are heterotypic names. Synonymy records historical nomenclature; the canonical page follows the accepted combination.
References
- Plants of the World Online. “Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed: 2026-08-04. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:128942-1 ↩
- International Plant Names Index. “Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb.” Accessed: 2026-08-04. https://www.ipni.org/n/128942-1 ↩
- Loaiza S., C. R. “Neotypification, distribution, and conservation status of Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Cactaceae).” Phytotaxa 626(2): 133–138. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.626.2.7 ↩
- World Flora Online. “Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica (Lam.) Backeb.” Accessed: 2026-08-04. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000557330 ↩
- Plants of the World Online. “Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica — General information.” Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Accessed: 2026-08-04. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:128942-1/general-information ↩
