Turbinicarpus valdezianus

Turbinicarpus valdezianus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae.[3]

Turbinicarpus valdezianus
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Turbinicarpus
Species:
T. valdezianus
Binomial name
Turbinicarpus valdezianus
(H.Moeller) Glass & R.C.Foster
Synonyms
  • Echinocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Boed. 1930
  • Gymnocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Backeb. 1966
  • Mammillaria valdeziana (H.Moeller) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton 1942
  • Neolloydia valdeziana (H.Moeller) E.F.Anderson 1986
  • Normanbokea valdeziana (H.Moeller) Kladiwa & Buxb. 1969
  • Pediocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Halda 1998
  • Pelecyphora valdeziana H.Moeller 1930
  • Pseudosolisia valdeziana (H.Moeller) Y.Itô 1981
  • Thelocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Borg 1937
  • Gymnocactus valdezianus var. albiflorus (Pazout) Backeb. 1966
  • Pelecyphora plumosa Boed. & Ritter in Monatsschr. Deutsch. 1930
  • Pelecyphora valdeziana var. albiflora Pazout 1960
  • Pseudosolisia valdeziana var. albiflora Y.Itô 1981
  • Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. albiflorus (Pazout) Zachar, Staník, Lux & Dráb 1996
  • Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. pazoutii Halda & Malina 2005

Description edit

Turbinicarpus valdezianus, one of the smallest and slowest-growing plants in its genus, has tiny feathery spines that obscure its body. While it is usually found growing solitary, it can occasionally form clumps. When young, this plant has spherical stems that later become cylindrical with a narrower base and short, spirally arranged tubercles. The apex is entirely covered by the plumose spination. About half of the plant is underground, supported by a substantial taproot. These plants typically reach heights of 3-5 cm and diameters of 1-2 cm. They are adorned with 25-30 dense, feathery, white spines, each measuring around 0.5 mm long and spreading flat around the areoles.[4]

In the spring, Turbinicarpus valdezianus produces 1-5 flowers that open during the day at the plant's apex. It is found scattered in small populations across various locations. The color of its flowers varies from pinkish-white to bright pink, with darker magenta or reddish-brown midveins.[4]

Distribution edit

This species thrives in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico, ranging from Saltillo in Coahuila state to nearly Matehuala in San Luis Potosí, at elevations of 1400 to 1600 meters. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. It is threatened by habitat loss.

References edit

  1. ^ Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Fitz Maurice, B (2017). "Turbinicarpus valdezianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T41000A121558667. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T41000A121558667.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ "Turbinicarpus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Glass & R.A.Foster". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  4. ^ a b Vallicelli, Valentino (2013-08-04). "Turbinicarpus valdezianus". llifle.com. Retrieved 2023-12-28.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

External links edit