Sclerocactus

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Sclerocactus
Sclerocactus wrightiae.jpg
Sclerocactus wrightiae
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Sclerocactus
Britton & Rose
Type species
Sclerocactus polyancistrus
Species

See text

Synonyms [1]
  • Ancistrocactus(K.Schum.) Britton & Rose
  • ColoradoaBoissev. ex C.Davidson
  • EchinomastusBritton & Rose
  • PapyrocactusDoweld
  • RoseiaFrič
  • ToumeyaBritton & Rose, nom. illeg.
  • UtahiaBritton & Rose

Sclerocactus ("hard cactus", from Greek; refers to the hard, dry fruit) is a genus of cacti. It comprises about 15 species, the exact number depending on the authority. These species are xerophytic. They are sometimes called 'fishhook cactus' or 'little barrels.'

Contents

Description

Sclerocactus range in shape from ovoid to elongate cylindric, have rigid stems with tubercles that are generally coalesced into ribs, and are covered with spines that come out of the areoles. [2] Most species have at least one hooked spine at each areole. Less often, species may not have hooks.

These plants are found in higher elevation deserts such as on the Colorado Plateau, or in the Mohave Desert or the Great Basin. They are well suited to extremes due to lack of rainfall, hot summers and below freezing winters.

Sclerocactus. parviflorus growing on its side with wood debris nearby Sclerocactus parviflorus fh 51 AZ B.jpg
Sclerocactus. parviflorus growing on its side with wood debris nearby

The little barrel cactus typically grows in areas where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accumulate for short periods of time. They are most often found growing along washes and arroyos where their seeds have been subjected to scarification due to water movement, but they oddly also tend to grow along ridges in spots where depressions have formed and can hold water for some period of time.

The sometimes hooked or curved spines and the armored web of spines enclosing the cactus body in species of this genus is an adaptation which allows the plant to move to more favorable locations. This plants seeds germinate in areas where water movement occurs or in areas where standing water accumulates for some period of time, and during flash floods, the hooked spines allow the plants to be caught on water borne debris and be uprooted and carried to areas where water tends to accumulate. A large percentage of plants in habitat show signs of water debris damage along the stems which has healed and are found growing on their sides in places where floodwaters have deposited them. The habitat these plants exist in is very arid, and the plants have adapted to exploit water movement to concentrate their biomass in areas where water is likely to be present.

Synonymy

Sclerocactus was once reduced to synonymy with Pediocactus —but this is not accepted; these genera are not closely related. [2] The following genera have been brought into synonymy with Sclerocactus: [1]

Species

As of November 2022 the following species are recognized in the genus Sclerocactus by Plants of the World Online: [1]

SectionImageScientific nameDistribution
Coloradoa Sclerocactus mesae-verdae fh 061 NM B.jpg Sclerocactus mesae-verdae (Boissev. & C.Davidson) L.D.BensonSW. Colorado to NW. New Mexico.
Parviflori Sclerocactus brevispinus.jpg Sclerocactus brevispinus K.D.Heil & J.M.PorterNE. Utah
Sclerocactus cloverae fh 44 2 NM B.jpg Sclerocactus cloverae K.D.Heil & J.M.PorterS. Colorado to N. & Central New Mexico
2015.05.24 10.48.46 IMG 2292 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg Sclerocactus glaucus (K.Schum.) L.D.BensonColorado.
2015.05.08 09.15.43 IMG 1963 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg Sclerocactus parviflorus Clover & JotterUtah to W. Colorado and N. Arizona.
Sclerocactus sileri fh 52 1 AZ BB.jpg Sclerocactus sileri (L.D.Benson) K.D.Heil & J.M.PorterArizona (NE. Coconino County)
Sclerocactus wetlandicus ssp ilseae fh 0700 in cultur BB.jpg Sclerocactus wetlandicus HochstätterNE. Utah
Sclerocactus whipplei fh 53 10 AZ B.jpg Sclerocactus whipplei (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Britton & RoseSE. Utah to NE. Arizona
Sclerocactus wrightiae fh 69 75 UT B.jpg Sclerocactus wrightiae L.D.BensonCentral Utah.
Sclerocactus Sclerocactus blainei fh 102 NV B.jpg Sclerocactus blainei S.L.Welsh & K.H.ThorneNevada to WSW. Utah
Sclerocactus nyensis fh 107 NV in cultur BB.jpg Sclerocactus nyensis HochstätterNevada (N. Mojave Desert)
Hermit cactus, Sclerocactus polyancistrus (15461482495).jpg Sclerocactus polyancistrus (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Britton & Roseeastern California and southern Nevada
Cactus thorns flower.jpg Sclerocactus pubispinus (Engelm.) L.D.BensonE. Nevada to W. Utah
Sclerocactus spinosior fh 69 81 UT B.jpg Sclerocactus spinosior (Engelm.) D.Woodruff & L.D.BensonUtah
incertae sedis Sclerocactus brevihamatus subsp. tobuschii (5863730397).jpg Sclerocactus brevihamatus (Engelm.) D.R.HuntSW. Texas to Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León)
Echinomastus intertextus - Flickr - aspidoscelis (1).jpg Sclerocactus intertextus (Engelm.) N.P.TaylorE. Nevada to W. Utah
Echinomastus johnsonii 1.jpg Sclerocactus johnsonii (Parry ex Engelm.) N.P.TaylorSE. California to SW. Utah and NW. Mexico
Echinomastus mariposensis.jpg Sclerocactus mariposensis (Hester) N.P.TaylorSW. Texas to Mexico (Coahuila, Nuevo León)
Sclerocactus papyracanthus fh 087 3 AZ BB.jpg Sclerocactus papyracanthus (Engelm.) N.P.TaylorE. Central Arizona to W. Texas
Ancistrocactus scheeri.jpg Sclerocactus scheeri (Salm-Dyck) N.P.TaylorE. Central Arizona to W. Texas
Echinomastus unguispinus (5730007226).jpg Sclerocactus unguispinus (Engelm.) N.P.TaylorNE. Mexico
Sclerocactus warnockii (L.D.Benson) N.P.TaylorW. Texas to Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila)

Many species of Sclerocactus are protected under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act and all species should be treated as imperiled.[ citation needed ]

Cultivation and propagation

Sclerocactus are easy to cultivate. They are generally a cold-adapted genus. They grow in very arid areas which are subjected to deep cold in spots where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accumulate for short period of time. They are most often found growing along washes and arroyos where their seeds have been subjected to scarification due to water movement, but they oddly also tend to grow along ridges in spots where depressions have formed and can hold water for some period of time.

They undergo most of their growth in spring and benefit from moderate fertilizer in cultivation. They prefer mineral-rich, sandy soils. They are tolerant of overwatering provided they are grown in small pots that drain and dry out quickly. They do best out of doors do well in full sun. They are not particularly attractive plants and their vicious hooked spines are a hazard, making them poor houseplants. Like Pediocactus , Sclerocactus "deflate" in late fall in preparation for winter and freezing; they push water out of the plant flesh, through the roots, and into the soil, dramatically decreasing in size. They require deep cold and dormancy to bloom well.

Some species, such as S. parviflorus , produce large, showy flowers and put a short, but impressive floral display in early spring.

Sclerocactus seeds are difficult to germinate as they contain inhibitors, and require cold stratification, prolonged soaking, or scarification of the seeds to trigger germination. Seeds of members of this genus can take up to three years to germinate in some cases if not scarified or subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles in the presence of water. The plants are easy to maintain in cultivation but difficult to start from seed.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cactus</span> Family of mostly succulent plants, adapted to dry environments

A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae, a family comprising about 127 genera with some 1,750 known species of the order Caryophyllales. The word cactus derives, through Latin, from the Ancient Greek word κάκτος (káktos), a name originally used by Theophrastus for a spiny plant whose identity is now not certain. Cacti occur in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They are native to the Americas, ranging from Patagonia in the south to parts of western Canada in the north, with the exception of Rhipsalis baccifera, which is also found in Africa and Sri Lanka. Cacti are adapted to live in very dry environments, including the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. Because of this, cacti show many adaptations to conserve water. For example, almost all cacti are succulents, meaning they have thickened, fleshy parts adapted to store water. Unlike many other succulents, the stem is the only part of most cacti where this vital process takes place. Most species of cacti have lost true leaves, retaining only spines, which are highly modified leaves. As well as defending against herbivores, spines help prevent water loss by reducing air flow close to the cactus and providing some shade. In the absence of true leaves, cacti's enlarged stems carry out photosynthesis.

<i>Ferocactus</i> Genus of cacti

Ferocactus is a genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, mostly with large spines and small flowers. There are about 30 species included in the genus. They are found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

<i>Pediocactus</i> Genus of cacti

Pediocactus is a genus of cacti. The genus comprises between 6 and 11 species, depending upon the authority. Species of this genus are referred to as hedgehog cacti, though that name is also applied to plants from the genera Echinocereus and Echinopsis. Species may also be referred to as pincushion cacti, a common name which is also applied to other genera.

<i>Thelocactus</i> Genus of cacti

Thelocactus is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae. Members of the genus are native to the arid lands of Central and Northern Mexico.

<i>Pediocactus bradyi <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> winkleri</i> Species of cactus

Pediocactus bradyi subsp. winkleri, commonly known as Winkler's cactus or Winkler's pincushion cactus, is a small cactus endemic to the state of Utah in the United States. It is known only from Emery and Wayne Counties.

<i>Ferocactus wislizeni</i> Species of cactus

Ferocactus wislizeni, the fishhook barrel cactus, also called Arizona barrel cactus, candy barrel cactus, and Southwestern barrel cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to northern Mexico and the southern United States. It is a ball-shaped cactus eventually growing to a cylindrical shape, with spiny ribs and red or yellow flowers in summer.

<i>Sclerocactus polyancistrus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus polyancistrus is a species of cactus known by several common names, including redspined fishhook cactus, Mojave fishhook cactus, pineapple cactus, and hermit cactus.

<i>Sclerocactus brevihamatus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus brevihamatus is a species of cactus known by the common name shorthook fishhook cactus.

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

Pelecyphora 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.

<i>Pediocactus sileri</i> Species of cactus

Pediocactus sileri is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Siler's pincushion cactus and gypsum cactus. It is native to southwestern Utah and northwestern Arizona in the United States. It is limited to a specific type of soil, individuals are often spaced far apart, and the species is threatened by a number of human activities such as off-road vehicle use, poaching, and uranium mining. This is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.

<i>Pediocactus bradyi</i> Endangered species of cactus

Pediocactus bradyi is a very rare species of cactus known by the common names Brady's pincushion cactus, Brady's hedgehog cactus, and Marble Canyon cactus. It is endemic to Arizona in the US, where it is restricted to Marble Canyon in Coconino County, though its exact distribution is not generally advertised due to poaching concerns. It is limited to a specific type of soil, it has a small distribution, and the species is threatened by a number of human activities. This has been a federally listed endangered species of the United States since 1979.

<i>Pediocactus bradyi <span style="font-style:normal;">subsp.</span> despainii</i> Species of cactus

Pediocactus bradyi subsp. despainii is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Despain's cactus and San Rafael cactus.

<i>Pediocactus knowltonii</i> Species of cactus

Pediocactus knowltonii is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Knowlton's miniature cactus, Knowlton's pincushion cactus, and Knowlton's minute cactus.

<i>Pediocactus peeblesianus</i> Species of cactus

Pediocactus peeblesianus is a rare species of cactus known by the common names Navajo pincushion cactus. It is endemic to the state of Arizona in the United States. The species is named after the Arizona botanist Robert Hibbs Peebles.

<i>Sclerocactus brevispinus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus brevispinus is a rare species of cactus known by the common name Pariette cactus. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known only from the Pariette Draw, a draw in Duchesne County. It is threatened by a number of processes and human activities.

<i>Sclerocactus glaucus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus glaucus is a rare species of cactus known by the common name Colorado hookless cactus. It is endemic to Colorado in the United States, where it is known only from the area between Grand Junction and Montrose. It is a federally listed threatened species.

<i>Sclerocactus wetlandicus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus wetlandicus is a rare species of cactus known by the common name Uinta Basin hookless cactus. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known only from the Uinta Basin. It may also be called the Pariette cactus, but this name is more appropriate for Sclerocactus brevispinus, the species endemic to the Pariette Draw of Duchesne County.

<i>Sclerocactus papyracanthus</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus papyracanthus is a species of cactus known by the common names paperspine fishhook cactus, grama grass cactus, paper-spined cactus, and toumeya. It is native to North America, where it occurs from Arizona to New Mexico to Texas and into Chihuahua, Northeastern Mexico.

<i>Sclerocactus sileri</i> Species of cactus

Sclerocactus sileri, the Siler fishhook cactus, is a rare and very small cactus found mostly in mineral-rich desert areas of intermediate elevations, notably in the American states of Utah, Nevada, and northern Arizona.

<i>Pediocactus simpsonii</i> Species of flowering plant in the family

Pediocactus simpsonii, known by the common names mountain cactus, snowball cactus, and mountain ball cactus, is a relatively common cactus that has adapted to survive in cold and dry environments in high elevation areas of the western United States. It can be found at higher elevations than any other cactus in North America. While not a landscape dominating plant, it is a relatively common species and the most common member of the genus Pediocactus. Because of its beauty and adaptation to cold environments it is sometimes grown by gardeners in areas that have few other choices due to the limited number of cactuses with cold adaptations. Like many cactuses its populations are sometimes threatened by this desirability due to the theft or removal of plants from the wild by collectors.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Sclerocactus Britton & Rose - Plants of the World Online". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-12-10.
  2. 1 2 Heil, Kenneth D. & Porter, J. Mark, Sclerocactus , retrieved 2012-05-04, in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, ed. (1982), Flora of North America (online), eFloras.org