Pelecyphora: Difference between revisions

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| name = Pelecyphora
| name = Pelecyphora
| image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg
| image = Pelecyphora_aselliformis.jpg
| image_caption = ''Pelecyphora aselliformis''
| image_caption = ''[[Pelecyphora aselliformis]]''
| kingdom = Plantae
| kingdom = Plantae
| phylum = Tracheophyta
| phylum = Tracheophyta
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== Taxonomy ==
== Taxonomy ==
Recent molecular and morphological studies (Aquino & Sánchez, 2022) support a broad circumscription of ''Pelecyphora'', including the former genus ''Escobaria'' and allied taxa.
Recent molecular and morphological studies support a broad circumscription of ''Pelecyphora'', including the former genus ''Escobaria''.


This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies.
This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies, although this treatment is not universally accepted.
 
This treatment is not universally accepted, and some authors continue to recognize ''Escobaria'' as a separate genus.


== Synonyms ==
== Synonyms ==
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The genus ''Pelecyphora'' currently includes:
The genus ''Pelecyphora'' currently includes:


* ''Pelecyphora abdita''
* [[Pelecyphora abdita]]
** ''Pelecyphora abdita'' subsp. ''tenuispina''
** [[Pelecyphora abdita subsp. tenuispina]]


* ''Pelecyphora alversonii''
* [[Pelecyphora alversonii]]


* ''Pelecyphora aselliformis''
* [[Pelecyphora aselliformis]]


* ''Pelecyphora chihuahuensis''
* [[Pelecyphora chihuahuensis]]
** ''Pelecyphora chihuahuensis'' subsp. ''henricksonii''
** [[Pelecyphora chihuahuensis subsp. henricksonii]]


* ''Pelecyphora cubensis''
* [[Pelecyphora cubensis]]


* ''Pelecyphora dasyacantha''
* [[Pelecyphora dasyacantha]]
** ''Pelecyphora dasyacantha'' subsp. ''chaffeyi''
** [[Pelecyphora dasyacantha subsp. chaffeyi]]


* ''Pelecyphora duncanii''
* [[Pelecyphora duncanii]]


* ''Pelecyphora emskoetteriana''
* [[Pelecyphora emskoetteriana]]


* ''Pelecyphora hesteri''
* [[Pelecyphora hesteri]]
** ''Pelecyphora hesteri'' subsp. ''grata''
** [[Pelecyphora hesteri subsp. grata]]


* ''Pelecyphora laredoi''
* [[Pelecyphora laredoi]]


* ''Pelecyphora lloydii''
* [[Pelecyphora lloydii]]


* ''Pelecyphora macromeris''
* [[Pelecyphora macromeris]]
** ''Pelecyphora macromeris'' subsp. ''runyonii''
** [[Pelecyphora macromeris subsp. runyonii]]


* ''Pelecyphora minima''
* [[Pelecyphora minima]]


* ''Pelecyphora missouriensis''
* [[Pelecyphora missouriensis]]
** ''Pelecyphora missouriensis'' subsp. ''asperispina''
** [[Pelecyphora missouriensis subsp. asperispina]]


* ''Pelecyphora robbinsorum''
* [[Pelecyphora robbinsorum]]


* ''Pelecyphora sneedii''
* [[Pelecyphora sneedii]]
** ''Pelecyphora sneedii'' subsp. ''orcuttii''
** [[Pelecyphora sneedii subsp. orcuttii]]


* ''Pelecyphora strobiliformis''
* [[Pelecyphora strobiliformis]]


* ''Pelecyphora tuberculosa''
* [[Pelecyphora tuberculosa]]


* ''Pelecyphora vivipara''
* [[Pelecyphora vivipara]]


* ''Pelecyphora zilziana''
* [[Pelecyphora zilziana]]


== Habitat ==
== Habitat ==
Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, on limestone, sandy or rocky soils, often in grasslands, deserts or scrublands.
Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, on limestone, sandy or rocky soils, often in grasslands, deserts or scrublands.


Some species are highly cold-resistant and adapted to continental climates, while others are restricted to warm desert regions.
Altitude ranges from approximately 400 m up to over 3000 m.
 
Altitude range varies widely, from about 400 m up to over 3000 m.


== Distribution ==
== Distribution ==
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== Comments ==
== Comments ==
The expanded concept of ''Pelecyphora'' reflects modern phylogenetic understanding and resolves the polyphyly of ''Escobaria''.
The expanded concept of ''Pelecyphora'' resolves phylogenetic inconsistencies by including ''Escobaria'' within a single monophyletic genus.


However, due to significant morphological diversity and long-standing taxonomic traditions, this treatment remains debated among specialists.
However, this treatment remains under discussion, and alternative classifications are still in use.


== References ==
== References ==
* Aquino, D. & Sánchez, D. (2022). Recircumscription of ''Pelecyphora''. PhytoKeys.
* Aquino & Sánchez (2022)
* Anderson, E.F. (2001). The Cactus Family.
* Anderson (2001)
* Hunt, D. et al. (2006). The New Cactus Lexicon.
* Hunt et al. (2006)

Latest revision as of 08:56, 18 April 2026

Pelecyphora
File:Pelecyphora aselliformis.jpg
Kingdom Plantae
Family
Subfamily
Tribe
SubTribe
Genus Pelecyphora
Species
Notes

Pelecyphora Ehrenb. is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae. Traditionally very small, the genus has been significantly expanded based on recent phylogenetic studies and now includes taxa formerly placed in Escobaria and related genera.

Etymology

The name Pelecyphora means "axe-bearing", referring to the hatchet-shaped tubercles of the type species.

Description

A genus of dwarf to small cacti, solitary or forming clumps, often geophytic or growing at ground level.

Stems globose to cylindrical, without ribs, composed of spirally arranged tubercles. Roots often spindle-shaped.

Areoles dimorphic, producing spines and flowers separately. Spines variable, from numerous and pectinate to sparse.

Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, funnel-shaped to bell-shaped, usually pink, purple or magenta, sometimes white or yellow.

Fruits dry or slightly fleshy, often dehiscent or disintegrating at maturity. Seeds small to relatively large depending on species, brown to black, variously sculptured.

Taxonomy

Recent molecular and morphological studies support a broad circumscription of Pelecyphora, including the former genus Escobaria.

This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies, although this treatment is not universally accepted.

Synonyms

  • Cochiseia W.Earle (1976)
  • Encephalocarpus A.Berger (1929)
  • Escobaria Britton & Rose (1923)
  • Escobesseya Hester (1945)
  • Neobesseya Britton & Rose (1923)
  • Lepidocoryphantha Backeb. (1938)
  • Escocoryphantha Doweld (1999)
  • Fobea Frič ex Boed. (1933)

Species

The genus Pelecyphora currently includes:

Habitat

Species occur in arid and semi-arid environments, on limestone, sandy or rocky soils, often in grasslands, deserts or scrublands.

Altitude ranges from approximately 400 m up to over 3000 m.

Distribution

United States, Mexico, and Cuba.

Comments

The expanded concept of Pelecyphora resolves phylogenetic inconsistencies by including Escobaria within a single monophyletic genus.

However, this treatment remains under discussion, and alternative classifications are still in use.

References

  • Aquino & Sánchez (2022)
  • Anderson (2001)
  • Hunt et al. (2006)