Ultra-Thin Hairy New Shoots on Belowground Cuttings of Recently Rooted Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Cactaceae)

Abstract: Cylindropuntia leptocaulis cuttings produce new long-shoots from portions of cuttings that are both aboveground and belowground. New long-shoots arising aboveground appear normal, of the same size and morphology as the original cutting. New longshoots arising belowground, however, are ultra-thin (< 1mm diameter), approximately one-eighth the diameter of the already thin cuttings, have smaller redder photosynthetic leaves, and have hairs growing from their areoles, none of which have been previously reported. Long-shoots arising from belowground quickly grow wider, with normal green fleshy leaves, and non-hairy areoles after growing a few centimeters aboveground.