Turbinicarpus valdezianus
{{Short description|Species of cactus}}
{{Speciesbox
|status = VU
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status2 = CITES_A1
|status2_system = CITES
|status2_ref = {{Cite web|title = Appendices {{!}} CITES|url = https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php|access-date = 2022-01-14|website = cites.org}}
|image = Turbinicarpus valdezianus 600 2.jpg
|taxon = Turbinicarpus valdezianus
|authority = (H.Moeller) Glass & R.C.Foster
|synonyms =
- Echinocactus valdezianus {{au|(H.Moeller) Boed. 1930}}
- Gymnocactus valdezianus {{au|(H.Moeller) Backeb. 1966}}
- Mammillaria valdeziana {{au|(H.Moeller) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton 1942}}
- Neolloydia valdeziana {{au|(H.Moeller) E.F.Anderson 1986}}
- Normanbokea valdeziana {{au|(H.Moeller) Kladiwa & Buxb. 1969}}
- Pediocactus valdezianus {{au|(H.Moeller) Halda 1998}}
- Pelecyphora valdeziana {{au|H.Moeller 1930}}
- Pseudosolisia valdeziana {{au|(H.Moeller) Y.Itô 1981}}
- Thelocactus valdezianus {{au|(H.Moeller) Borg 1937}}
- Gymnocactus valdezianus var. albiflorus {{au|(Pazout) Backeb. 1966}}
- Pelecyphora plumosa {{au|Boed. & Ritter in Monatsschr. Deutsch. 1930}}
- Pelecyphora valdeziana var. albiflora {{au|Pazout 1960}}
- Pseudosolisia valdeziana var. albiflora {{au|Y.Itô 1981}}
- Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. albiflorus {{au|(Pazout) Zachar, Staník, Lux & Dráb 1996}}
- Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. pazoutii {{au|Halda & Malina 2005}}
}}
Turbinicarpus valdezianus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae.{{cite web | title=Turbinicarpus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Glass & R.A.Foster | website=Plants of the World Online | url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:259039-2 | access-date=2023-12-28}}
Description
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.{{cite web | last=Vallicelli | first=Valentino | title=Turbinicarpus valdezianus | website=llifle.com | date=2013-08-04 | url=http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/1543/Turbinicarpus_valdezianus | access-date=2023-12-28}}{{Creative Commons text attribution notice|cc=bysa3|from this source=yes}}
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.
Distribution
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
{{Reflist}}
- {{cite iucn |author=Fitz Maurice, W.A. |author2=Fitz Maurice, B |date=2017 |title=Turbinicarpus valdezianus |volume=2017 |page=e.T41000A121558667 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T41000A121558667.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}
External links
- {{Commons-inline}}
- {{Wikispecies-inline}}
- {{ARKive|3=Turbinicarpus (Turbinicarpus valdezianus)}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q142742}}
Category:Endemic flora of Mexico
Category:Flora of San Luis Potosí