Ferocactus diguetii

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Ferocactus diguetii
Ferocactus diguetii 259458937.jpg
Ferocactus diguetii on Isla Cerralvo
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Ferocactus
Species:
F. diguetii
Binomial name
Ferocactus diguetii
Synonyms

Echinocactus diguetiiF.A.C. Weber

Ferocactus diguetii, commonly known as the giant barrel cactus, is the largest species of barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus . It is an insular species endemic to several of Baja California Sur's southern islands in the Gulf of California. As the superlative giant of the barrel cacti, it reaches heights of up to 4 metres (13 ft) and diameters of 1 metre (3.3 ft) in the wild, a result of island gigantism. The species has red flowers that bloom from March to May. Although restricted in range, this species grows in protected habitat and lacks major threats. [2]

Contents

Description

Ferocactus diguetii is the largest barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus , with massive, solitary, columnar stems reaching up to 4 metres (13 ft) and diameters of 1 metre (3.3 ft). It is usually about 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 60–80 cm (2.0–2.6 ft) in diameter. It has numerous thin ribs, 25 to 35, and has up to 8 radial spines per areole, with usually no central spines. The spines are yellow or rarely red, and are up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in), with a slight curve. [3] [4] [5]

The flowers appear from March to May, and are a fiery red to orange in color, measuring 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) in length and diameter. The barrel-shaped fruits reach similar sizes and are lemon yellow with crescent-shaped scales. [3] [4] [5]

Taxonomy

Echinocactus diguetii was described in 1898 by Frédéric Albert Constantin Weber, who named it in honor of its discoverer, Léon Diguet, a French explorer who was investigating pearl fisheries on Isla Santa Catalina. [6]

In 1922, Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose transferred the species to the genus Ferocactus, creating the current combination, Ferocactus diguetii. [7]

Distribution and habitat

Ferocactus diguetii is endemic to the state of Baja California Sur in Mexico. It is only found on a number of islands in the southern Gulf of California, namely Isla del Carmen, Isla Danzante, Isla Monserrate, Isla Santa Catalina, Isla Santa Cruz, Isla San Diego, and Isla Cerralvo. [2] [3] [4] Ivan M. Johnston reported the species for Isla Coronados, but it may be extirpated from that locality. [7] [4]

Ferocactus diguetii grows at elevations of 10–300 m (33–984 ft). [4] Britton and Rose noted that the species did not seem to have a definite habitat, growing on from mountainsides along large igneous rocks to old shell beaches. [7] The plant grows along with Bursera microphylla and Pachycereus pringlei .

References

  1. ↑ León de la Luz, J.L.; Gómez-Hinostrosa, C.; Hernández, H.M. (2017) [amended version of 2013 assessment]. "Ferocactus diguetii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T151761A121507542. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T151761A121507542.en . Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  2. 1 2 Rebman, Jon P.; Gibson, Judy; Rich, Karen (15 November 2016). "ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR PLANTS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO" (PDF). Proceedings of the San Diego Society of Natural History. 45. San Diego Natural History Museum: 104 – via San Diego Plant Atlas & San Diego Natural History Museum.
  3. 1 2 3 Rebman, Jon P.; Roberts, Norman C. (2012). Baja California Plant Field Guide. San Diego: Sunbelt Publications. p. 185. ISBN   978-0-916251-18-5.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Pilbeam, John; Bowdery, Derek (2005). Ferocactus (1. ed.). Oxford: British Cactus and Succulent Soc. pp. 36–38. ISBN   978-0-902099-76-0.
  5. 1 2 Hunt, David; Taylor, Nigel; Charles, Graham, eds. (2006). The New Cactus Lexicon. Milborne Port, UK: dh Books. p. 119. ISBN   978-0-9538134-9-0.
  6. ↑ Weber, F.A.C (1898). "Les Echinocactus de la Basse Californie". Bulletin du Muséum d'histoire naturelle (in French). 4. Paris Impr. nationale 1895-1907.
  7. 1 2 3 Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Rose, Joseph Nelson; Eaton, Mary E.; Wood, Helen Adelaide (1919). "The Cactaceae: descriptions and illustrations of plants of the cactus family". The Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family. 3. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington: 131. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.46288 – via Biodiversity Heritage Library.
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