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.
Strombocactus disciformis | |
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Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae | |
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Genus: | Strombocactus |
Species: | S. disciformis |
Binomial name | |
Strombocactus disciformis | |
Synonyms | |
Ariocarpus disciformis (DC.) Marshall |
Description
Strombocactus is a monotypic genus with a strong turnip-like root, a small, sunken, roughly spherical stem covered with spirally arranged overlapping tubercles, each with a spine-bearing areole at its tip. Flowers come from new growth at the crown, and the cactus's small seeds are difficult to see with the naked eye.[1]
Taxonomy
The species has several forms and subspecies:
- Strombocactus disciformis f. cristata
- Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae
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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". Both subspecies are also contained in Appendix 1 of CITES species (Convention on International Trade in Endangered species) as at June 2013.
References
- Venning, Frank D. Cacti (A Golden Guide). Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Company, Inc. p. 155.