Mesa Verde cactus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iMesa Verde cactus | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
| Sclerocactus mesae-verde (Boissev. ex Hill & Salisb.) L.D.Benson |
||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Coloradoa mesae-verde Boissev. |
The Mesa Verde cactus (Sclerocactus mesae-verde) is a species of cactus. This species was discovered near Cortet, Colorado by Charles H. Boissevain, and is only known from this state. It was formerly classified in a monotypic genus (Coloradoa).
[edit] Distribution
It is only found in several stations at the eastern edge of the Navajoan Desert in Moatezuma County, Colorado and in San Joan County, New Mexico. All in all, 5 major population groups have been registered. Since 1979 it is officially considered a threatened species in the United States. In the wild, it is found on pulverulent clay soil.
[edit] Description
The species is globulous and singular, but sometimes form clusters up to 15. It reaches 3.5 to 6.2 cm high, rarely higher than 10 cm, and of roughly equal diameter. There are up to 14 spiral-like ribs. The flowers are white to cream-yellow, 3 cm long, 2 cm in diameter and do not open completely. The fruits are green, spherical, with a diameter of 1.25 cm. The fruits become brown with age, and split horizontally. The seeds are black.
