Strombocactus

Strombocactus disciformis is a rare species of cacti and the only species of the genus Strombocactus. The plant originates from Central and Northeast Mexico.

Strombocactus disciformis
Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Cactaceae
Subfamily:
Cactoideae
Tribe:
Cacteae
Genus:
Strombocactus

Species:
S. disciformis
Binomial name
Strombocactus disciformis
(DC.) Britton & Rose
Synonyms

Ariocarpus disciformis (DC.) Marshall
Ariocarpus disciformis ssp. jarmilae (Halda) Halda
Cactus disciformis Kuntze
Echinocactus disciformis (DC.) K.Schum.
Echinocactus turbiniformis Pfeiff.
Mammillaria disciformis DC.
Pediocactus jarmilae ?
Strombocactus disciformis ssp. jarmilae (Halda) Halda
Strombocactus jarmilae Halda

Description

Strombocactus is a monotypic genus with a strong turnip-like root, a small, sunken, roughly spherical stem covered with spirally arranged overlapping tubercles, each with a spine-bearing areole at its tip. Flowers come from new growth at the crown, and the cactus's small seeds are difficult to see with the naked eye.[1]

Taxonomy

The species has several forms and subspecies:

  • Strombocactus disciformis f. cristata
  • Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae

Conservation status

Both subspecies are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which states that it has a limited range and "is experiencing a decline in mature individuals due to illegal overcollection". Both subspecies are also contained in Appendix 1 of CITES species (Convention on International Trade in Endangered species) as at June 2013.

References
  1. Venning, Frank D. Cacti (A Golden Guide). Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Company, Inc. p. 155.
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