Rapicactus subterraneus

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Rapicactus subterraneus
Rapicactus subterraneus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Rapicactus
Species:
R. subterraneus
Binomial name
Rapicactus subterraneus
(Backeb.) Buxb. & Oehme
Synonyms [2]
  • Echinocactus subterraneusBackeb.
  • Gymnocactus subterraneus(Backeb.) Fritz Schwarz
  • Neolloydia subterranea(Backeb.) H.E.Moore
  • Pediocactus subterraneus(Backeb.) Halda
  • Turbinicarpus mandragora subsp. subterraneus(Backeb.) Lüthy

Rapicactus subterraneus, synonym Turbinicarpus subterraneus, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. [1]

Contents

Description

Rapicactus subterraneus is a solitary cactus, typically globose to globose-cylindrical, with an elongated and thin body that can reach over 15 cm in height and 3 cm in diameter. It has a tuberous root system with tubers that have four angles and are 3-5 mm high. The areoles bear 2 central spines, blackish-gray, rigid, erect, and 2 cm long, along with 16 to 19 radial spines, glassy-white, radial, strong, and 2 to 6 mm long.

The infundibuliform flowers are violet-pink to magenta, 2-2.5 cm long and 3 cm in diameter. R. subterraneus is hermaphroditic but requires winged insects and ants for cross-pollination. The small, greenish-brown fruits contain seeds dispersed by animals, water, and wind. [3]

Distribution

Endemic to Mexico, R. subterraneus has a restricted distribution, primarily near Saltillo in Coahuila, Aramberri in Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas, at elevations of 1400-1700 meters. It thrives in xerophytic shrublands on shallow slopes with calcareous and gypsum soils, often growing alongside Agave lechuguilla , Pelecyphora strobiliformis , Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus , Thelocactus hexaedrophorus , Ferocactus pilosus , Ferocactus uncinatus , Coryphantha glanduligera , and Echinocereus pectinatus . [4]

References

  1. 1 2 Smith, M.; Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Hernández, H.M.; Fitz Maurice, B.; Sotomayor, M. (2013). "Turbinicarpus subterraneus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T151198A547980. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T151198A547980.en . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Rapicactus subterraneus (Backeb.) Buxb. & Oehme". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Portland, Or: Timber Press (OR). p. 776. ISBN   0-88192-498-9.
  4. ↑ Art, Cactus (2013-08-04). "Rapicactus subterraneus". LLIFLE. Retrieved 2024-05-13. Creative Commons by-sa small.svg  This article incorporates textfrom this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Sources

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