- Source: Rapicactus zaragosae
Rapicactus zaragosae, synonym Turbinicarpus zaragosae, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. It is threatened by habitat destruction.
Description
Rapicactus zaragosae is a solitary, club-shaped cactus with stems that are globular to cylindrical, reaching up to 150 mm in height and 50 mm in width. The stems are greenish-blue with a woolly apex, and the areoles in the flowering area are very woolly. The tubercles of this cactus are pyramidal or conical. It has 21-25 radial spines that are slightly bent backwards, thickened at the base, glassy white with a brown tip, and measure 3-6 mm in length, except for 2 or 3 bristle-like spines that can reach up to 2 cm. Additionally, there are 2 brownish-black central spines that turn grey with age, one of which is erect and darker, measuring around 15-20 mm long.
The flowers of Rapicactus zaragosae are slender and funnel-shaped, ranging in color from pale yellow to violet, with a darker mid-vein. They are 18-20 mm long and 15-30 mm wide, blooming in spring to summer. The fruits are greenish-brown.
Distribution
Plants are found growing on gypsum hills in the municipalities of Zaragosa and South of Aramberri in Nuevo Leon, Mexico at elevations of 1200-1700 meters. The plants are found growing with Thelocactus conothelos subsp. aurantiacus and Cochemiea conoidea.
References
Anderson, E.F., Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B. 2002. Turbinicarpus zaragosae. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 August 2007.
External links
Media related to Rapicactus zaragosae at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Rapicactus zaragosae at Wikispecies
