Biology:Strombocactus
Strombocactus disciformis is a rare species of cacti and the only species of the genus Strombocactus. The plant originates from Central and Northeast Mexico.
Description
Strombocactus is a monotypic genus with a strong turnip-like root, a small, depressed, roughly spherical stem covered with spirally arranged overlapping tubercles, each with a spine-bearing areole at its tip.
Strombocactus disciformis are low-growing, gray-green succulents with a broadly round, unbranched stem and root. In their natural habitats, they grow in a disk shape, half hidden in the ground, reaching around 8 cm in diameter and 2-3 cm in height. In cultivation, they become nearly spherical. Adult tubers can reach 15 cm in diameter, larger than the above-ground parts. The plant's spiral ribs are deeply notched, creating a wart-like appearance with a ratio close to the golden ratio (13:8). Areoles are located on the blunt ends of these warts, which are curved (straighter in cultivation) and have a square base. They rarely have more than four or five short, bristly thorns, which fall off after a few years.[1]
Flowers come from new growth at the crown, emerging from the youngest areoles. The flowers are white to cream or magenta and 2.5- to 3.5-cm long and open to about 4 cm in diameter. The 7-mm-long, thin-walled brown fruits contain 0.3-mm reddish-brown seeds.[2]
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Growth habit -
Flowers -
Spines -
Seedling -
View of plant from the top
Subspecies
The species has two recognized subspecies:[3]
| Image | Subspecies | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| 120px | Strombocactus disciformis subsp. disciformis | Querétaro to Hidalgo |
| 120px | Strombocactus disciformis subsp. esperanzae Glass & S.Arias | Guanajuato |
Distribution
Strombocactus disciformis is found in the Mexican states of Querétaro, Hidalgo, and Guanajuato, growing on almost vertical, weathered limestone rocks at altitudes of 1000 to 1600 meters.[4]
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Plant growing vertically in habitat in Pena Blanca, Queretaro -
Plants growing on rocks in Pena Blanca, Queretaro -
Plant growing with Mammillaria parkinsonii
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Taxonomy
First described as Mammillaria disciformis by Augustin-Pyrame de Candolle in 1828, the specific epithet disciformis is derived from the Latin "discus" (disc) and "-formis" (shaped), referring to the plant's shape.[5] Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose reclassified it as Strombocactus in 1922.[6]
Conservation status
Both subspecies are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which states that it has a limited range and "is experiencing a decline in mature individuals due to illegal overcollection". The species is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meaning commercial international trade is prohibited and non-commercial international trade is regulated.[7]
References
- ↑ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005) (in de). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon. Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. pp. 607–608. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
- ↑ Venning, Frank D.. Cacti (A Golden Guide). Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Company, Inc.. p. 155.
- ↑ "Strombocactus disciformis (DC.) Britton & Rose". https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:246156-2.
- ↑ Vallicelli, Valentino (2013-08-04). "Strombocactus disciformis". http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/2103/Strombocactus_disciformis.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
- ↑ D&Amp, Um National; (France), histoire naturelle (1828). "Mémoires du Muséum d'histoire naturelle". G. Dufour. https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/35009717.
- ↑ Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Eaton, Mary E.; Rose, J. N.; Wood, Helen Adelaide (1919). The Cactaceae : descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.46288.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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External links
Data related to Strombocactus at Wikispecies
Wikidata ☰ {{{from}}} entry
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