Pelecyphora sneedii

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Pelecyphora sneedii
Succu Escobaria sneedii 01.jpg
Status TNC G4.svg
Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
CITES Appendix I (CITES) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Pelecyphora
Species:
P. sneedii
Binomial name
Pelecyphora sneedii
(Britton & Rose) D.Aquino & Dan.Sánchez
Synonyms [2]
  • Escobaria sneediiBritton & Rose
  • Coryphantha sneedii(B. & R.) A.Berger
  • Mammillaria sneedii(B. & R.) Cory
  • Coryphantha vivipara var. sneedii(B. & R.) Gorelick

Pelecyphora sneedii (syn. Coryphantha sneedii) is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Sneed's pincushion cactus and carpet foxtail cactus. It is endemic to the Chihuahuan Desert of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is a small, variable cactus with a lengthy taxonomic history, and is often subdivided into a number of subspecies or varieties. It is usually found on steep, rocky habitats, primarily of limestone geology, in desert scrub or coniferous forest. A species of conservation concern, P. sneedii faces threats from poaching, urban encroachment, and wildfires.

Contents

The former cacti species Coryphantha orcuttii has been lumped into sneedii as a subspecies. P. sneedii also intergrades with Pelecyphora vivipara , further complicating classification. Because of the variation and intergradation of P. sneedii, it forms a species complex.

Description

Morphology

Pelecyphora sneedii is a small cactus growing up to about 27 centimetres (11 in) tall, but sometimes revealing just a few centimeters above ground level, the rest of the stem buried. The species may branch profusely, even when small and immature, forming up to 250 branches in some populations. It is coated densely in areoles of bright white spines; each areole may have nearly 100 spines. There are 25 to 52 radial spines per areole that are more or less appressed or tightly appressed, measuring 3–14 mm (0.12–0.55 in) long. There are 8 to 17 outer central spines per areole, which may be appressed to strongly projecting. There are up to 5 inner central spines per areole, which are typically straight and radiate like spokes, measuring 3–25 mm (0.12–0.98 in) long. Depending on the substrate, the spines may be tinted with yellow, pink, purple, or brown. They may have dark tips and as the cactus ages the spines darken to gray and even black. [3]

P. sneedii in habitat, Dona Ana County, New Mexico. Coryphantha sneedii - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2).jpg
P. sneedii in habitat, Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

P. sneedii typically blooms in spring from March to June, bearing flowers 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long and 7–25 mm (0.28–0.98 in) wide near the apical part of the stem. The outer tepals are sparsely to densely fringed at the margins. There are 11 to 26 inner tepals, and vary in color from white, cream, pale tan, greenish white, or pale rose-pink. There are usually well-defined midstripes of various colors (usually darker) on the tepals, or they can sometimes be absent. The inner tepals measure 5–14 mm (0.20–0.55 in) long by 0.8–4 mm (0.031–0.157 in) wide. The stamens have low-contrast filaments (often the same color as the tepals) with sulphur yellow or canary yellow anthers atop. The stigma is divided into 2 to 7 pale lobes, 1–3 mm (0.039–0.118 in) long. [3]

The flowers of P. sneedii, in a cultivated plant originally classified as Escobaria guadalupensis. Escobaria guadalupensis SB910 DSC 0414.jpg
The flowers of P. sneedii, in a cultivated plant originally classified as Escobaria guadalupensis.

The fruits, which emerge from May to September, are dimorphic, with "red" (blood-red to magenta) and "green" (greenish-yellow to brown or purple) color phases. The fruits have a cylindric to fusiform or obovoid to narrowly clavate shape, and are up to 21 millimetres (0.83 in) long. The dried remains of the flower remain persistent on the fruit, and the fruit quickly dries out of its originally juicy and succulent form. The seeds are a brownish color, and are 1.6 millimetres (0.063 in) long, with a distinctive pitting on their surface. [3]

Taxonomy

Taxonomic history

Escobaria sneedii was first described by botanists Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1923, in the fourth volume of their monograph The Cactaceae. The species is named after J.R. Sneed, who collected the type specimen in the Franklin Mountains of Texas. The specimen was then sent to Britton and Rose by S.L. Pattison in 1921. [4]

A plant of the subspecies (or variety) leei, which is characterized by its small size. A pen is included for scale. Lee's Pincushion Cactus (51202730188).jpg
A plant of the subspecies (or variety) leei, which is characterized by its small size. A pen is included for scale.

Modern classification

Taxonomic circumscription of the Mammillaria and its clade of related genera (the 'Mammilloid' clade) [note 1] has been complicated, and until recently was based largely on morphological characters. Escobaria has been recognized as a subgroup of Coryphantha since Benson (1969, 1982) and Coryphantha was originally circumscribed in 1856 by Engelmann as a subgenus of Mammillaria. Molecular phylogenetic studies starting in the 21st century suggested a number of these genera were not in fact monophyletic, and demanded re-circumscription. [5]

Coryphantha was suggested to be placed within the Mammilloid clade from a number of studies, but was also shown not to be monophyletic. In 2021, Breslin et. al. revised the Mammilloid clade based on the phylogenetic evidence up to that point, resulting in three genera, Mammillaria sensu stricto, Cochemeia sensu lato, and Coryphantha (including Escobaria). However, the study by Breslin used a low number of samples for the Coryphantha, necessitating a 2022 study by Sánchez et. al. focused on the Coryphantha in particular. Monophyly of Coryphantha was achieved by excluding Escobaria, Pelecyphora, and Coryphantha macromeris, which formed their own monophyletic group. [5]

A plant of P. sneedii subsp. orcuttii in flower in cultivation. Escobaria orcuttii SB257.JPG
A plant of P. sneedii subsp. orcuttii in flower in cultivation.

Due to the priority of publication principle (Principle III) dictated by the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, Escobaria and C. macromeris are merged into Pelecyphora, as it was published first in 1843 by Ehrenberg, preceding Britton and Rose's Escobaria by 80 years. The restructuring of the Coryphantha, Pelecyphora and Escobaria results in the current combination for this species, Pelecyphora sneedii. [5]

As a species complex

As Gorelick (2015, 2021) notes in his articles on the plants, Coryphantha sneedii integrades with Coryphantha vivipara and both have a wide variety of taxa (both at species name or as infraspecies of both) in their continuum. The two also overlap in range. It is often very difficult to distinguish plants of C. sneedii with C. vivipara, and even moreso with the varieties of each, although both C. sneedii and C. vivipara are readily distinguishable from other plants placed in the Coryphantha by their druses, fruits, and pericarpels. Gorelick in 2021 suggested combining the entire species complex of C. sneedii as a single variety of C. vivipara. [6] [note 2]

Taxa of the Pelecyphora sneedii complex
Specific epithetTaxonomic treatment
POWO & Sánchez et. al. [5] [2] Flora of North America [3] Gorelick, 2021 [6]
orcuttiiPelecyphorasneedii subsp. orcuttiiCoryphantha sneediiCoryphantha vivipara var. sneedii
organensis
sandbergii
villardii
sneediiPelecyphorasneedii subsp. sneedii
albicolumnaria
leei
guadalupensis
viviparaPelecyphora viviparaCoryphantha viviparaCoryphantha vivipara
P. sneedii subsp. orcuttii, in flower. The pictured plant was formerly classified as Coryphantha sandbergii, which is now lumped into P. s. ssp. orcuttii Coryphantha sandbergii - Flickr - aspidoscelis (2).jpg
P. sneedii subsp. orcuttii, in flower. The pictured plant was formerly classified as Coryphantha sandbergii, which is now lumped into P. s. ssp. orcuttii

Subspecies

Recognition of infraspecific taxa within Pelecyphora sneedii varies across sources. The variability of this species makes infraspecific circumscription difficult. Some sources, like the Flora of North America, do not recognize any infraspecific taxa at all. The rank at which they are recognized also varies, with some placing the infraspecific taxa as varieties and others as subspecies. [7] The variability of Pelecyphora sneedii poses a difficulty to the conservation of the species, as some of the infraspecific taxa designated as threatened (e.g. subsp. leei) are not universally recognized. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service continues to recognize var. leei and var. sneedii and both are listed as threatened taxa as of 2023. [8]

A cactus described in the 1980s, Escobaria sneedii var. guadalupensis, is sometimes included within this species. [3] [9] But is a synonym of var. sneedii. [9]

Sánchez et. al. and Plants of the World Online recognize the two subspecies Pelecyphora sneedii subsp. orcuttii and Pelecyphora sneedii subsp. sneedii. [2] [5]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the Chihuahuan Desert, where it occurs in scattered locations in New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua. [10] Some plants occurring in Arizona may be included within this species. [3] It is usually found in broken, rocky terrain and steep slopes of Silurian-Ordovician-Cambrian limestone, usually in Chihuahuan desert scrub and sometimes in coniferous woodlands in the Trans-Pecos region. [7] [11] [12]

Conservation

This cactus, particularly var. sneedii was heavily collected for the cactus trade starting in the 1920s when it was discovered. [13] The var. leei also faced this threat. [14] There was no need for this poaching, because the plant is easily propagated in the garden. [10] They have been overharvested from their natural habitat, the main reason why the two varieties, var. sneedii and var. leei, have been federally listed as endangered and threatened, respectively. [13] [14] Most authors believe that var. leei is a New Mexico endemic that only grows in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and any P. sneedii outside the park are var. sneedii. [15] Threats to the species outside the national park include habitat loss. One example is the loss of a population of var. sneedii that occurred when a road was built connecting Las Cruces, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. [13]

Cultivation

Sneed's pincushion cactus is popular with cactus enthusiasts and dealers because of its often petite size and tolerance for moderately cold climates. [9]

In cultivation, it prefers a well-draining inorganic substrate, as the roots are easily susceptible to rot. Sneed's cactus must be kept completely dry during its dormant season in the winter months, and atmospheric humidity must be kept at a low. Regular watering may be done throughout the spring and summer once the growing season has resumed, provided the soil is well-drained. Fertilization requirements are simple, consisting of a high-potassium fertilizer during the summer growing season for Sneed's feed, and seed propagation is equally straightforward, with seeds sown after the last frost in spring typically germinating within one to two weeks provided they are well-ventilated and kept out of direct sun. Sneed's pincushion can also be propagated asexually via offsets from the base of the plant. [11] [12]

Notes

  1. ↑ The 'Mammilloid' clade is generally circumscribed as the genera Cochemiea , Coryphantha, Cumarinia, Escobaria, Mammillaria, Neolloydia , and Ortegocactus [5]
  2. ↑ The generic classification in this section is reverted to Coryphantha to align with the context of Gorelick's 2021 article, published before the recombination in Sánchez et. al.

Related Research Articles

<i>Mammillaria</i> Genus of cactus mostly from Mexico

Mammillaria is one of the largest genera in the cactus family (Cactaceae), with currently 200 known species and varieties recognized. Most of the mammillaria are native to Mexico, but some come from the southwest United States, the Caribbean, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala and Honduras. The common name "pincushion cactus" refers to this and the closely related genus Escobaria.

<i>Coryphantha</i> Genus of cacti

Coryphantha, or beehive cactus, is a genus of small to middle-sized, globose or columnar cacti. The genus is native to arid parts of Central America, Mexico, through Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas and north into southwestern, central, and southeastern Montana. With its two subgenera, 57 species and 20 subspecies, it is one of the largest genera of cactus.

<i>Pelecyphora</i> Genus of cacti

Pelecyphora, pincushion cactus or foxtail cactus is a genus of cacti, comprising 20 species.They originate from Mexico and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cacteae</span> Tribe of plants

Cacteae is a tribe of plants of the family Cactaceae found mainly in North America especially Mexico. As of August 2018, the internal classification of the family Cactaceae remained uncertain and subject to change. A classification incorporating many of the insights from the molecular studies was produced by Nyffeler and Eggli in 2010.

<i>Pelecyphora missouriensis</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora missouriensis, the Missouri foxtail cactus and formerly Coryphantha missouriensis, is a species of low-growing North American cacti.

<i>Pelecyphora vivipara</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora vivipara is a species of cactus known by several common names, including spinystar, viviparous foxtail cactus, pincushion cactus and ball cactus. It is native to North America, where certain varieties can be found from Mexico to Canada. Most of these varieties are limited to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts. The species epithet "vivipara" is due to the species' viviparous reproductive habit.

<i>Mammillaria spinosissima</i> Species of cactus from Mexico

Mammillaria spinosissima, also known as the spiny pincushion cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, endemic to the central Mexican states of Guerrero and Morelos, where they grow at elevations of approximately 1,600 to 1,900 metres. The species was described in 1838 by James Forbes, gardener of the Duke of Bedford. Botanist David Hunt collected a specimen in 1971, when he located one near Sierra de Tepoztlan, Mexico.

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.

<i>Pelecyphora minima</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora minima is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Nellie cory cactus, Nellie's pincushion cactus, birdfoot cactus, and others. It is a very popular species among cactus collectors. This is one reason why it is a highly endangered species in the wild today. This cactus is found only in Brewster County, Texas, in the United States, where there are three populations remaining near Marathon. The cactus is limited to one outcrop in the Marathon Uplift, where it grows in rocky novaculite soils. It was added to the endangered species list in 1979.

<i>Pelecyphora macromeris</i> Species of cactus

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cactinae</span> Subtribe of cacti in the tribe Cacteae

Cactinae is a subtribe of cacti in the tribe Cacteae. It is notable to cactus-lovers, as it contains the large genus Mammillaria. They all produce globular stems and most produce offshoots freely, although this may take some species up to 30 years. The tubercles are generally arranged in spirals. The principal genera of this subtribe are Coryphantha and Mammillaria.

<i>Pelecyphora tuberculosa</i> Species of plant

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<i>Pelecyphora alversonii</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora alversonii commonly known as cushion foxtail cactus or cushion fox-tail cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to the southwestern United States.

<i>Pelecyphora laredoi</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora laredoi is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Mexico.

<i>Pelecyphora dasyacantha</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora dasyacantha is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to the Mexico.

<i>Pelecyphora emskoetteriana</i> Species of cactus

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Pelecyphora zilziana is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Mexico.

<i>Pelecyphora lloydii</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora lloydii is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to Mexico.

Pelecyphora duncanii is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native to the southern United States.

<i>Pelecyphora robbinsiorum</i> Species of cactus

Pelecyphora robbinsiorum known by the common names Cochise pincushion cactus and Cochise foxtail cactus is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae.

References

  1. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  2. 1 2 3 "Pelecyphora sneedii". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Zimmerman, Allan D.; Parfitt, Bruce D. "Coryphantha sneedii". In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.). Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA). New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  4. ↑ Britton, Nathaniel Lord; Rose, Joseph Nelson (December 1923). The Cactaceae. Vol. v.4. Illustrators: Eaton, Mary E. and Wood, Helen Adelaide. Washington: Carnegie Institution of Washington. p. 56. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.46288. LCCN   19011812.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sánchez, Daniel; Vázquez-Benítez, Balbina; Vázquez-Sánchez, Monserrat; Aquino, David; Arias, Salvador (21 January 2022). "Phylogenetic relationships in Coryphantha and implications on Pelecyphora and Escobaria (Cacteae, Cactoideae, Cactaceae)". PhytoKeys (188): 115–165. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.188.75739 . ISSN   1314-2003. PMC   8799629 . PMID   35106054.
  6. 1 2 Gorelick, Root (2021). "The Coryphantha sneedii Complex is Indeed Complex and Continuously Intergrades with Coryphantha vivipara". Haseltonia. 27 (1): 40–59. doi:10.2985/026.027.0106. ISSN   1070-0048.
  7. 1 2 Ferguson, David J. "Escobaria sneedii var. leei (Lee's pincushion cactus)". New Mexico Rare Plants. New Mexico Rare Plant Technical Council. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  8. ↑ Fish and Wildlife Service (January 11, 2023). "Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 31 Species in the Southwest" (PDF). Federal Register. Office of the Federal Register. 88 (7): 1604. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Baker, M. A. (2007). Further elucidation of the taxonomic relationships and geographic distribution of Escobaria sneedii var. sneedii, E. sneedii var. leei, and E. guadalupensis (Cactaceae). In: Barlow-Irick, P., et al, tech eds. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Fourth Conference; March 22–26, 2004; Las Cruces, New Mexico. Proceedings. USFS.
  10. 1 2 Escobaria sneedii. The Nature Conservancy.
  11. 1 2 "Escobaria sneedii subs. leei (Rose ex Boed.) D.R.Hunt". LLIFE - Encyclopedia of Cacti. LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms. 14 November 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  12. 1 2 "Escobaria sneedii Britton & Rose". LLIFE - Encyclopedia of Cacti. LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms. 14 November 2005. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 USFWS. Determination that Coryphantha sneedii var. sneedii is an endangered species. Federal Register November 7, 1979.
  14. 1 2 USFWS. Determination that Coryphantha sneedii var. leei is a threatened species. Federal Register October 25, 1979.
  15. ↑ US NPS. Cacti/Desert Succulents. Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
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