Discocactus
Discocactus is a genus of tropical cacti. The name comes from the ancient Greek diskos (=disc) because of its shape. Discocactus plants are endemic to southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, and northern Paraguay. These species are in the risk of extinction in the wild.
Discocactus | |
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Discocactus bahiensis (lower left) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Caryophyllales |
Family: | Cactaceae |
Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
Tribe: | Trichocereeae |
Genus: | Discocactus Pfeiff. |
Species | |
Discocactus albispinus |
The plants have a slightly flattened spherical shape. The areoles bear sharp spines. At the apex of the adult plants, there is a wooly cephalium, white or shaded with yellow or grey. The white nocturnal flowers appear on the sides of the cephalium. The fruits are pink or red and contain black seeds.
- Discocactus horstii
- Discocactus zehntneri
- Discocactus placentiformis
- Discocactus araneispinus
- Discocactus boliviensis
Bibliography
- Edward F. Anderson : The Cactus Family. Timber Press: Portland (Oregon), 2001, p. 218-221 ISBN 0-88192-498-9
- N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose: The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family. Washington, 1920
External links
Data related to Discocactus at Wikispecies
- (in French) photos on www.AIAPS.org
- (in English) photos on www.cactiguide.com
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Discocactus. |