Ariocarpus retusus | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Genus: | Ariocarpus |
Species: | A. retusus |
Binomial name | |
Ariocarpus retusus Scheidw. | |
Synonyms | |
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Ariocarpus retusus is a species of cactus, from the genus Ariocarpus , found mainly in Mexico. It is one of the largest and fastest-growing species in this genus known for a slow rate of growth. [2] Despite its slow growth, often taking ten years to reach flowering age, the retusus is a desirable cactus for cultivation, having attractive flowers and an unusual form for a cactus. It is also one of the most easily cultivated species in the genus.
Ariocarpus retusus has flattened, spherical shoots that are gray-green, blue-green, or yellow-green, growing to heights of 3 to 25 centimeters and diameters of 4 to 30 centimeters. The erect, spreading warts protrude from the soil, crowded at the base, and are somewhat pointed or sharp-tipped with rounded or flat tops. The warts measure 1.5 to 4 centimeters long and 1 to 3.5 centimeters wide, sometimes as long as they are wide or twice as long. Occasionally, areoles are present at the tips of the warts. The flowers are cream to light yellow, white (sometimes with a red central stripe), or pinkish red, and have a diameter of 3 to 5 centimeters. The elongated fruits are 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. [3]
The chromosome count is 2n = 22. [4]
Ariocarpus retusus is found in Mexico, from the states of Coahuila and Nuevo León south along both sides of the Sierra Madre Occidental to San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas in the high Chihuahuan desert at elevations between 1300 and 2000 meters. This species grows on limestone and rocky slopes and in grasslands. [5]
This species was first described in 1838 by Michael Joseph François Scheidweiler, the specific epithet "retusus" comes from Latin, meaning 'blunted,' referring to the shape of the warts. [6]
Hordenine, N-methyltyramine, N-methyl-3,4-dimethoxy-β-phenethylamine and N-methyl-4-methoxy-β-phenethylamine [7] as well as the flavonol retusin has been found in Ariocarpus retusus. [8] The locals use the slime from the roots of the plants as glue to repair pottery. As a medicinal plant it is used to treat fever. The Huichols use them in religious ceremonies.
The genus Aztekium contains two species of small globular cactus. Discovered in 1929 by F. Ritter, in Rayones, Nuevo León, Mexico, this genus was thought to be monotypic until a second species was discovered by George S. Hinton, in Galeana, Nuevo León in 1991. A further possible species, Aztekium valdezii, was described in 2011, but is considered to be a synonym of A. ritteri.
Ariocarpus is a small genus of succulent, subtropical plants of the family Cactaceae.
Leuchtenbergia is a genus of cactus which has only one species, Leuchtenbergia principis. It is native to north-central Mexico. The genus is named after Maximilian Eugen Joseph (1817–1852), Duke of Leuchtenberg and amateur botanist.
Hordenine is an alkaloid of the phenethylamine class that occurs naturally in a variety of plants, taking its name from one of the most common, barley. Chemically, hordenine is the N-methyl derivative of N-methyltyramine, and the N,N-dimethyl derivative of the well-known biogenic amine tyramine, from which it is biosynthetically derived and with which it shares some pharmacological properties. As of September 2012, hordenine is widely sold as an ingredient of nutritional supplements, with the claims that it is a stimulant of the central nervous system, and has the ability to promote weight loss by enhancing metabolism. In experimental animals, given sufficiently large doses parenterally, hordenine does produce an increase in blood pressure, as well as other disturbances of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. These effects are generally not reproduced by oral administration of the drug in test animals, and virtually no scientific reports of the effects of hordenine in human beings have been published.
Ariocarpus fissuratus is a species of cactus found in small numbers in northern Mexico and Texas in the United States. Common names include living rock cactus, false peyote, chautle, dry whiskey and star cactus.
Ariocarpus agavoides is a species of cactus. It is endemic to Mexico. It grows in dry shrubland in rocky calcareous substrates. Some taxonomists place it in a separate genus as Neogomezia agavoides. The locals use the slime from the roots of the plants as glue to repair pottery. The sweet-tasting warts are eaten and often added to salads
Ariocarpus bravoanus is a species of cactus which is endemic to San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It grows in dry shrubland habitat on limestone substrates. It is endangered due to overcollecting.
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae.
Ariocarpus scaphirostris is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. The Ariocarpus scaphirostris was originally called Ariocarpus scapharostrus in the 1930.
Many cacti are known to be psychoactive, containing phenethylamine alkaloids such as mescaline. However, the two main ritualistic (folkloric) genera are Echinopsis, of which the most psychoactive species occur in the San Pedro cactus group, and Lophophora, with peyote being the most psychoactive species. Several other species pertaining to other genera are also psychoactive, though not always used with a ritualistic intent.
Ferocactus pilosus, also known as Mexican lime cactus or Mexican fire barrel, is a species of cactus in North America.
Pelecyphora strobiliformis is a species of cactus from Mexico. Its numbers in the wild have been reduced by collecting; it is listed in Appendix I of CITES but only as of "Least Concern" by the IUCN.
Candicine is a naturally occurring organic compound that is a quaternary ammonium salt with a phenethylamine skeleton. It is the N,N,N-trimethyl derivative of the well-known biogenic amine tyramine, and, being a natural product with a positively charged nitrogen atom in its molecular structure, it is classed as an alkaloid. Although it is found in a variety of plants, including barley, its properties have not been extensively studied with modern techniques. Candicine is toxic after parenteral administration, producing symptoms of neuromuscular blockade; further details are given in the "Pharmacology" section below.
Cochemiea conoidea, common name Texas cone cactus or Chihuahuan beehive, is a species of cactus native to southern United States to central Mexico.
Stenocactus multicostatus, the brain cactus, is a member of the cactus family native to the deserts of Mexico, and is popular in the gardening community. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Thelocactus tulensis is a species of cactus. It is endemic to Mexico.
Pelecyphora macromeris, the nipple beehive cactus, is a species of cactus in the United States and Mexico. In the Chihuhuan Desert, it is common and has a wide range.
Aspergillus luppii is a species of fungus in the genus Aspergillus. It is from the Flavipedes section. Aspergillus luppii produces the antimicrobics Curvularin and Dehydrocurvularin.
Ariocarpus trigonus or better known as Landmine Flowers is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Mexico.
Digitalis atlantica is a species of perennial flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae. It is native to Algeria.