Sclerocactus

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sclerocactus
Sclerocactus wrightiae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Caryophyllales Family: Cactaceae Subfamily: Cactoideae Tribe: Cacteae Genus: Sclerocactus Britton & Rose
Species
Sclerocactus glaucus Sclerocactus mesae-verde Sclerocactus parviflorus Sclerocactus wetlandicus Sclerocactus wrightiae etc.

Sclerocactus ("hard cactus", from Greek) is a genus of cacti. These species are very xerophytic. These cacti are sometimes called 'fishhook' or 'mini barrels'. They have rigid stems with ribs and are covered with spiny, hooked needles that come out of the aeroles. These plants can often be found in higher elevation deserts such as the Colorado Plateau or the Great Basin. They are well suited to extremes due to very hot summers and below freezing winters.

Many species of Sclerocactus are protected under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act and all species should be treated as imperiled.

[edit] Synonymy

The following genera have been brought into synonymy with Sclerocactus:

• Ancistrocactus Britton & Rose
• Coloradoa Boissev. & C.Davidson
• Glandulicactus Backeb.
• Toumeya Britton & Rose