Ferocactus hamatacanthus
| Ferocactus hamatacanthus | |
|---|---|
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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: | Ferocactus |
| Species: | F. hamatacanthus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ferocactus hamatacanthus ()
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| Synonyms | |
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Ferocactus hamatacanthus, commonly named Turk's Head, is a barrel cactus in the tribe Cacteae.
Distribution[]
Ferocactus hamatacanthus is widespread in the Chihuahuan Desert of north-western Mexico, New Mexico, and south-western Texas. The Ferocactus hamatacanthus Type Locality was found in Mexico.
Description[]
Ferocactus hamatacanthus forms to be solitary, usually a globular to oblong shape, and grows up to 60 centimetres (24 in). This plant contains 13 ribs normally, but can sometimes be around 17. These ribs of the cactus are strongly tubercled and are generally 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) high. Its aeroles are large and 1 centimetre (0.39 in) to 3 centimetres (1.2 in) apart. There are about 12 radial spines, 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 7 centimetres (2.8 in) long, that are acicular and terete. However, there are fewer central spines, only 4, that tend to be angled and elongated at around 15 centimetres (5.9 in). One of the central spines is hooked at its apex as well.
This cactus' flowers are large, usually 7 centimetres (2.8 in) to 8 centimetres (3.1 in), and display a yellow color with an inner scarlet color in some forms. This cactus also produces a fruit that is oblong, 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 5 centimetres (2.0 in) long, fleshy, edible, and a dark brown to drab-color (not red). In addition to these features, its seeds are pitted.[1]
Features[]
Ferocactus hamatacanthus develops elongated glands, usually 2 centimetres (0.79 in) to 4 centimetres (1.6 in), in the aeroles between the flower and the spines. At first, these glands are soft, but as they mature they become hard and spine-like. Another key feature is the difference of its fruit compared to other species. The fruit of this species is thin and the flesh is very juicy and edible, reminiscent of kiwis in flavor.[1]
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b N. L. Britton; J. N. Rose (1922), The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family (in German), Band III, Washington: The Carnegie Institution of Washington, p. 145
- Ferocactus
- Cacti of Mexico
- Cacti of the United States
- Flora of the Chihuahuan Desert
- Flora of Northeastern Mexico
- Flora of New Mexico
- Flora of Texas