Blossfeldia is a genus of cactus (family Cactaceae) containing only one species, Blossfeldia liliputiana,[1] native to South America in northwestern Argentina[2] (Jujuy,[3] Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca and Mendoza Provinces)[4] and southern Bolivia[2] (Santa Cruz and Potosí Departments).[4] It grows at 1,200–3,500 m altitude in the Andes, typically growing in rock crevices,[2] and often close to waterfalls.[citation needed]
It is of note as the smallest cactus species in the world, with a mature size of around 10–12 mm diameter. The flowers are white or rarely pink, 6–15 mm long and 5–7 mm diameter.[2]
The genus Blossfeldia has been divided into many separate species; however most morphological evidence supports that the genus is monotypic, and contains only Blossfeldia liliputiana.[5]
The species is named after the fictional country of Lilliput, where all of the inhabitants are minute.
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