Pittocaulon

Taxobox

---

image_width = 260px
image_caption = palo loco (crazy treee)
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
subclassis = Asteridae
unranked_ordo = Euasterids II
ordo = Asterales
familia = Asteraceae
subfamilia = Asteroideae
tribus = Senecioneae
genus = "Pittocaulon"
genus_authority = H.Rob. & Brettell
type_species = "Pittocaulon praecox"(Cav.) H.Rob. et Brettell
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision =See text
synonyms ="Senecio" L.
Source: INGcite web
url = http://botany.si.edu/ing/INGsearch.cfm?searchword=Pittocaulon
title = "Pittocaulon"
accessdate = 2008-05-21
date = 2006-02-20
format = HTML
work = Index Nominum Genericorum
publisher = International Association for Plant Taxonomy] IPNIIPNI
id = 10571-1
date = 2008-05-23]

" Pittocaulon" is a genus of the tribe Senecioneae and the family Asteraceae. Most if not all of its members used to be "Senecio".

The five species of this genus have been described as "strange shrubs and small trees with broomstick-like branches".cite web
url = http://www.explorelifeonearth.org/pittocaulon.html
title = The Pittocaulon Page (succulent Mexican Senecios)
accessdate = 2008-05-23
last = Olson
first = Mark E
format = HTML
publisher = Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México] All five species are native to the dry parts of central and southern Mexico. In addition to the strange appearance of these plants, Pittocaulon is of interest due to the remarkable range of habitats in which the species occur, from dry highland scrub well above 3000 meters, to tropical dry forest in hot country as low as 300 meters and on rocks, often in very steep situations. Pittocaulon species are conspicuous (crazy) when they flower at the end of the dry season are popularly called "palo loco" or "crazy tree", because they flower at the very end of the dry season when most other plants are suffering the effects of drought.

pecies

*"Pittocaulon bombycophole" (Bullock) H.Rob. & Brettell
*"Pittocaulon calzadanum" B.L.Turner
*"Pittocaulon filare" (McVaugh) H.Rob. & Brettell
*"Pittocaulon hintonii" H.Rob. & Brettell
*"Pittocaulon praecox" (Cav.) H.Rob. & Brettell
*"Pittocaulon velatum" (Greenm.) H.Rob. & Brettell

References

External links