Pelecyphora

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 (Aquino & Sánchez, 2022) support a broad circumscription of Pelecyphora, including the former genus Escobaria and allied taxa.

This expanded concept results in approximately 20 species and multiple subspecies.

This treatment is not universally accepted, and some authors continue to recognize Escobaria as a separate genus.

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:

• Pelecyphora abdita
  • Pelecyphora abdita subsp. tenuispina

• Pelecyphora alversonii

• Pelecyphora aselliformis

• Pelecyphora chihuahuensis
  • Pelecyphora chihuahuensis subsp. henricksonii

• Pelecyphora cubensis

• Pelecyphora dasyacantha
  • Pelecyphora dasyacantha subsp. chaffeyi

• Pelecyphora duncanii

• Pelecyphora emskoetteriana

• Pelecyphora hesteri
  • Pelecyphora hesteri subsp. grata

• Pelecyphora laredoi

• Pelecyphora lloydii

• Pelecyphora macromeris
  • Pelecyphora macromeris subsp. runyonii

• Pelecyphora minima

• Pelecyphora missouriensis
  • Pelecyphora missouriensis subsp. asperispina

• Pelecyphora robbinsorum

• Pelecyphora sneedii
  • Pelecyphora sneedii subsp. orcuttii

• Pelecyphora strobiliformis

• Pelecyphora tuberculosa

• Pelecyphora vivipara

• Pelecyphora zilziana

Habitat

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 range varies widely, from about 400 m up to over 3000 m.

Distribution

United States, Mexico, and Cuba.

Comments

The expanded concept of Pelecyphora reflects modern phylogenetic understanding and resolves the polyphyly of Escobaria.

However, due to significant morphological diversity and long-standing taxonomic traditions, this treatment remains debated among specialists.

References

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