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
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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