Ferocactus gracilis
| Ferocactus gracilis | ||||||||||||
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Ferocactus gracilis |
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Ferocactus gracilis is a species of the genus Ferocactus in the cactus family(Cactaceae). The specific epithet gracilis means 'delicate', 'slim' or 'thin'.
description
Ferocactus gracilis grows individually with spherical to cylindrical, deep green shoots and reaches heights of generally up to 150 centimeters, rarely up to 300 centimeters, with a diameter of 30 centimeters. There are 16 to 24 slightly tuberous ribs . The areoles are elliptical, narrow and about 15 millimeters long. The 7 to 13 red, transversely banded central spines have a slightly curved to hook-shaped yellow tip and are up to 7 centimeters long; they often turn black with age. The four main spines are arranged crosswise. The upper and lower central spines are flattened. The eight to twelve radial spines are white and gray when old, 25 to 40 millimeters long and occasionally twisted. The upper and lower of them are especially powerful.
The funnel-shaped, red flowers reach a length of up to 4 centimeters and have a diameter of 3.5 centimeters. The approximately 40–45 millimeters long, elongated yellow fruits do not tear open at a basal pore. The seeds are black and shiny.
Although Ferocactus gracilis usually grows individually, old specimens can be observed whose own shoot is still growing, but at the same time forms a family from its own trunk.
Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus : This subspecies differs from the type in that its central spines are stronger and broader and flattened. It grows singly, round to cylindrical, 30 centimeters in diameter and up to 1 m high. Young plants have 13 ribs, older plants up to 20. The 10 to 14 radial spines are bristle-like, slightly curved, growing apart and white. The lower edge of the spine can look like a central spine, i.e. deep red to red-brown, robust, straight and indented. There are 9 to 11 central spines. The lower central spine is flattened so that it reaches 1 centimeter wide, grows to 5 centimeters long with a curved and hook-shaped tip. The top central spine is also flattened, but straight. The thorns release more of the drive than in the type. The flower is described as straw yellow with red-purple stripes or red with yellow edges. The fruit is yellow. The 2 millimeter large seeds are black and matt.
Distribution, systematics and endangerment
Ferocactus gracilis is widespread in the Mexican state of Baja California , especially around Jaraguay , south of Cataviña and in the Vizcaino desert . It thrives on granite-based soil at heights between 20 and 300 m above sea level.
Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus occurs in Mexico, in the north-central part of the Baja California peninsula , especially around El Crucero (28 ° N), in the Vizcaino Desert , around Santa Rosalillita and El Tomatil . It thrives on sand and granite at heights between 10 and 100 m above sea level. The subspecies Ferocactus gracilis subsp. gatesii occurs on some small islands in the Gulf of California , where it grows in shallow valleys on mineral soil. On these extremely dry and barren islands, Ferocactus gracilis subsp. gatesii among the most common plants of all. In cultivation it is very rare due to the remoteness of its natural habitat.
It was first described in 1933 by Howard Elliott Gates .
The following subspecies are distinguished:
- Ferocactus gracilis subsp. gracilis
- Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus (HEGates) NPTaylor
- Ferocactus gracilis subsp. gatesii (GELinds.) NPTaylor
A common name for Ferocactus gracilis subsp. coloratus is "Biznaga Colorada".
In the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN , the species is listed as " Least Concern (LC) ". H. listed as not endangered.
proof
literature
- Edward F. Anderson : The Great Cactus Lexicon . Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8001-4573-1 , p. 293 .
- John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 , p. 53.
- ↑ a b c John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 , p. 54.
- ↑ John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 , p. 55
- ↑ John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 , p. 56
- ↑ John Pilbeam, Derek Bowdery: Ferocactus . The British Cactus and Succulent Society, 2005, ISBN 0-902099-76-0 , p. 57
- ^ Cactus and Succulent Journal . Volume 4, Los Angeles 1933, pp. 323-324.
- ↑ Ferocactus gracilis in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2013.2. Posted by: León de la Luz, JL, Hernández, HM & Gómez-Hinostrosa, C., 2012. Accessed December 20, 2013.
