Rapicactus subterraneus, synonym Turbinicarpus subterraneus, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is hot deserts.[1]
| Rapicactus subterraneus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Rapicactus |
| Species: | R. subterraneus
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| Binomial name | |
| Rapicactus subterraneus (Backeb.) Buxb. & Oehme
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editRapicactus subterraneus is a solitary cactus, typically globose to globose-cylindrical, with an elongated and thin body that can reach over 15 cm in height and 3 cm in diameter. It has a tuberous root system with tubers that have four angles and are 3-5 mm high. The areoles bear 2 central spines, blackish-gray, rigid, erect, and 2 cm long, along with 16 to 19 radial spines, glassy-white, radial, strong, and 2 to 6 mm long.
The infundibuliform flowers are violet-pink to magenta, 2-2.5 cm long and 3 cm in diameter. R. subterraneus is hermaphroditic but requires winged insects and ants for cross-pollination. The small, greenish-brown fruits contain seeds dispersed by animals, water, and wind.[3]
Distribution
editEndemic to Mexico, R. subterraneus has a restricted distribution, primarily near Saltillo in Coahuila, Aramberri in Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, and Tamaulipas, at elevations of 1400-1700 meters. It thrives in xerophytic shrublands on shallow slopes with calcareous and gypsum soils, often growing alongside Agave lechuguilla, Pelecyphora strobiliformis, Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus, Thelocactus hexaedrophorus, Ferocactus pilosus, Ferocactus uncinatus, Coryphantha glanduligera, and Echinocereus pectinatus.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Smith, M.; Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Hernández, H.M.; Fitz Maurice, B.; Sotomayor, M. (2013). "Turbinicarpus subterraneus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T151198A547980. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T151198A547980.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- ^ "Rapicactus subterraneus (Backeb.) Buxb. & Oehme". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
- ^ Anderson, Edward F. (2001). The Cactus Family. Portland, Or: Timber Press (OR). p. 776. ISBN 0-88192-498-9.
- ^ Art, Cactus (2013-08-04). "Rapicactus subterraneus". LLIFLE. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Sources
edit- Anderson, E.F., Fitz Maurice, W.A., Fitz Maurice, B., Hofer, A., Sotomayor, M., Arrendondo, A.G. & Sánchez, B. 2002. Turbinicarpus subterraneus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007.
External links
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Media related to Rapicactus subterraneus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Rapicactus subterraneus at Wikispecies
