Thelocactus setispinus

Thelocactus setispinus, known commonly as miniature barrel cactus[1] or hedgehog cactus, is a cactus in the genus Thelocactus of the family Cactaceae.

Thelocactus setispinus
Thelocactus setispinus at the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Genova
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Core eudicots
Order:
Caryophyllales
Family:
Cactaceae
Subfamily:
Cactoideae
Genus:
Thelocactus
Species:
T. setispinus
Binomial name
Thelocactus setispinus
Synonyms
  • Hamatocactus setispinus (Engelm.) Britton & Rose
  • Ferocactus setispinus (Engelm.) LDBenson.

Etymology

The genus name "Theloocactus" derives from the Greek word "Thelo" (wart or nipple) referred to the ribs with closely spaced nipples, while the species name "setispinus" comes from the Latin “seta” meaning “bristle” and “spina” meaning “thorn, spine”.[2][3]

Description

Thelocactus setispinus is globe-shaped to short cylindrical cactus about 8 inches (20 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm) wide and up to 60 centimetres (24 in) tall. The 12 to 15 radial spines are needle-shaped, bright, brown or white and up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. The 1 to 3 central spines are longer and stronger, straight and curved like a hook at the tip. The flowers are orange, dark yellow, magenta, or violet[4] with a red center, about 7 inches (18 cm) long. This cactus blooms in late summer. The fruits are red, round or elliptical, a little scaly, about 8 millimetres (0.31 in) to 10 millimetres (0.39 in).[5]

Distribution

This species is widespread in the southern United States in the State of Texas and the Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León and Tamaulipas. This species has spread throughout the world as an ornamental plant.[6]

Habitat

Its natural habitat is arid deserts, distributed widely but has a scattered population.[7] It usually grows in black or clay soils on coastal lowlands under mesquite scrubs, at an elevation of about 0–550 metres (0–1,804 ft) above sea level.[8]

  • Close-up on a flower of Thelocactus setispinus

References
  1. "Thelocactus setispinus". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  2. Cacti Guide
  3. Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton: Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Birkhäuser 2004
  4. Retrieved December 14th 2013
  5. Edward F. Anderson: The Cactus Family. Timber Press, Portland (Oregon) 2001
  6. The plant list
  7. Terry, M.; Heil, K. (2017). "Thelocactus setispinus (amended version of 2013 assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T151859A121571003. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T151859A121571003.en. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
  8. Cactus-art


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