Coryphantha: Difference between revisions

From M&J Cactus Wiki
Badmin (talk | contribs)
Bureaucrats, Interface administrators, Administrators
445 edits
Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Coryphantha | image = Coryphantha_elephantidens.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Coryphantha''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with insights from Breslin et al. (2021). }} == Etymology == The name is derived from the Greek words ''koryphe'' (summit/top) and ''anthos'' (flower), referring to the characteristic position of the flowers at the apex of the pl..."
 
No edit summary
 
Line 7: Line 7:
| tribe = [[Cacteae]]
| tribe = [[Cacteae]]
| genus = '''Coryphantha'''
| genus = '''Coryphantha'''
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with insights from Breslin et al. (2021).
| authority = (Engelm.) Lem.
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with insights from Breslin et al. (2021) and Sánchez et al. (2022).
}}
}}


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
The name is derived from the Greek words ''koryphe'' (summit/top) and ''anthos'' (flower), referring to the characteristic position of the flowers at the apex of the plant.
The name is derived from the Greek ''koryphe'' (summit) and ''anthos'' (flower), referring to the characteristic position of the flowers at the apex of the stem.


== Description ==
== Description ==
'''Coryphantha''' comprises globose to cylindrical cacti that grow as solitary individuals or form dense clumps. Their most distinguishing morphological feature is the **longitudinal furrow** (groove) on the upper side of the prominent tubercles. Unlike ''Mammillaria'', where flowers emerge from the axils of older tubercles, ''Coryphantha'' flowers appear at the base of the furrow on young, developing tubercles at the stem apex.
'''Coryphantha''' is a genus of globose to short cylindrical cacti, growing solitary or forming clusters.


The flowers are diurnal, relatively large, and funnel-shaped. They are most commonly bright yellow, but shades of pink, magenta, and creamy-white also occur. The fruits are fleshy, typically green or yellowish, and contain brown or black seeds with a smooth or finely reticulated surface.
* '''Tubercles''': Prominent, conical, always bearing a characteristic longitudinal groove on the upper side.
* '''Areoles''': Situated at the tubercle tips; axillary region initially woolly.
* '''Spines''': Variable; radial spines numerous, central spines present or absent, sometimes hooked.
* '''Flowers''': Diurnal, funnel-shaped, relatively large; typically yellow, but also pink, magenta or whitish; emerging from the apex (not from older axils as in ''Mammillaria'').
* '''Fruits''': Fleshy, green to yellowish, elongate; becoming exposed at maturity.
* '''Seeds''': Brown to black, smooth to finely reticulate.


== Habitat ==
The genus is primarily associated with the '''Chihuahuan Desert''' and adjacent regions.


Plants grow in:
* limestone slopes and cliffs 
* volcanic substrates 
* desert grasslands and scrub 


== Habitat ==
Altitude range: approximately 500–2700 m.
The genus is primarily centered in the **Chihuahuan Desert**. They grow in diverse environments, from loamy meadows and dry prairies to steep limestone cliffs and volcanic soils. They are found at altitudes ranging from 500 m to 2700 m, often growing under the protection of nurse plants in the matorral scrublands.


== Distribution ==
== Distribution ==
* '''Mexico:''' Widely distributed (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosí, etc.).
* '''Mexico''': Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas and others 
* '''USA:''' Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.
* '''USA''': Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
 
== Taxonomy ==
The genus ''Coryphantha'' was established by Engelmann (1856) and later formalized by Lemaire (1868).
 
According to Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is accepted as distinct within the tribe ''Cacteae''.
 
Molecular studies (Breslin et al., 2021) confirm that ''Coryphantha'' belongs to the Mammilloid clade and is closely related to ''Cochemiea'' and ''Escobaria''.
 
Some segregate genera have been proposed (e.g. ''Cumarinia'', ''Escobrittonia''), but are not universally accepted.


== Species ==
== Species ==
Joël Lodé recognizes 47 species and 8 subspecies:
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015).


* [[Coryphantha clavata]]
* [[Coryphantha clavata]]
Line 82: Line 102:
* [[Coryphantha tripugionacantha]]
* [[Coryphantha tripugionacantha]]
* [[Coryphantha vaupeliana]]
* [[Coryphantha vaupeliana]]
* [[Coryphantha voghterriana]]
* [[Coryphantha vogterriana]]
* [[Coryphantha werdermannii]]
* [[Coryphantha werdermannii]]
* [[Coryphantha wohlschlageri]]
* [[Coryphantha wohlschlageri]]
== Phylogenetic classification ==
Based on Sánchez et al. (2022).
The genus is divided into two subgenera corresponding to two main clades.
=== Subgenus Coryphantha ===
* Sections: Corniferae, Coryphantha, Durangenses, Pycnacanthae, Robustispina
=== Subgenus Neocoryphantha ===
* Sections: Clavatae, Echinoideae
A total of 46 species and 12 subspecies are recognized in this framework.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* '''Phylogeny:''' According to the latest molecular research (Breslin et al., 2021), ''Coryphantha'' belongs to a specific "Mammilloid" clade. It is confirmed as distinct from ''Mammillaria'' s.s. and shows a close sister-group relationship with ''Cochemiea'' and ''Escobaria''.
* The genus shows clear division into two evolutionary lineages.
* '''Taxonomic Segregates:''' Lodé notes that some lineages previously included in ''Coryphantha'' are now recognized as separate genera by some authors, such as ''Cumarinia'', ''Lepidocoryphantha'', and ''Neobesseya''.
* Some taxa remain unresolved (''inserta sedis'').
* '''Pollination:''' The large, nectar-rich flowers are primarily pollinated by native bees (e.g., ''Diadasia rinconis'').
* Phylogenetic data refine but do not completely replace traditional taxonomy.


[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cacteae]]
[[Category:Cacteae]]
[[Category:Coryphantha]]

Latest revision as of 12:43, 18 April 2026

Coryphantha
File:Coryphantha elephantidens.jpg
Kingdom Plantae
Family Cactaceae
Subfamily Cactoideae
Tribe Cacteae
SubTribe
Genus Coryphantha
Species
Notes Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015) with insights from Breslin et al. (2021) and Sánchez et al. (2022).

Etymology

The name is derived from the Greek koryphe (summit) and anthos (flower), referring to the characteristic position of the flowers at the apex of the stem.

Description

Coryphantha is a genus of globose to short cylindrical cacti, growing solitary or forming clusters.

  • Tubercles: Prominent, conical, always bearing a characteristic longitudinal groove on the upper side.
  • Areoles: Situated at the tubercle tips; axillary region initially woolly.
  • Spines: Variable; radial spines numerous, central spines present or absent, sometimes hooked.
  • Flowers: Diurnal, funnel-shaped, relatively large; typically yellow, but also pink, magenta or whitish; emerging from the apex (not from older axils as in Mammillaria).
  • Fruits: Fleshy, green to yellowish, elongate; becoming exposed at maturity.
  • Seeds: Brown to black, smooth to finely reticulate.

Habitat

The genus is primarily associated with the Chihuahuan Desert and adjacent regions.

Plants grow in:

  • limestone slopes and cliffs
  • volcanic substrates
  • desert grasslands and scrub

Altitude range: approximately 500–2700 m.

Distribution

  • Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas and others
  • USA: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas

Taxonomy

The genus Coryphantha was established by Engelmann (1856) and later formalized by Lemaire (1868).

According to Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is accepted as distinct within the tribe Cacteae.

Molecular studies (Breslin et al., 2021) confirm that Coryphantha belongs to the Mammilloid clade and is closely related to Cochemiea and Escobaria.

Some segregate genera have been proposed (e.g. Cumarinia, Escobrittonia), but are not universally accepted.

Species

Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015).

Phylogenetic classification

Based on Sánchez et al. (2022).

The genus is divided into two subgenera corresponding to two main clades.

Subgenus Coryphantha

  • Sections: Corniferae, Coryphantha, Durangenses, Pycnacanthae, Robustispina

Subgenus Neocoryphantha

  • Sections: Clavatae, Echinoideae

A total of 46 species and 12 subspecies are recognized in this framework.

Notes

  • The genus shows clear division into two evolutionary lineages.
  • Some taxa remain unresolved (inserta sedis).
  • Phylogenetic data refine but do not completely replace traditional taxonomy.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.mjcactus.com/index.php?title=Coryphantha&oldid=387"