Pelecyphora
| Pelecyphora | |
|---|---|
| File:Pelecyphora aselliformis.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Cactoideae |
| Tribe | Cacteae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Pelecyphora |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). The genus is considered provisionally correct pending further phylogenetic clarification. |
Etymology
The name means "bearing axes", referring to the characteristic axe-head shaped tubercles of the type species.
Description
Pelecyphora is a genus of extremely reduced, geophytic cacti adapted to cryptic life at ground level.
- Habit: Dwarf, solitary or clustering, flattened globose plants, often partially buried.
- Roots: Spindle-shaped taproot.
- Stems: Not ribbed; composed of spirally arranged tubercles.
- Tubercles: Distinctive, often resembling axe heads (especially in P. aselliformis).
- Areoles: Rudimentary, dimorphic — spines produced on outer parts, flowers from tubercle bases.
- Spines: Numerous and tiny (up to ~60 in P. aselliformis), often pectinate.
- Flowers: Diurnal, funnel- to bell-shaped, pink to magenta (rarely white), appearing near apex.
- Fruits: Dry at maturity, quickly disintegrating.
- Seeds: Small, brown, spoon-shaped (cochleariform), striate.
Habitat
The genus grows almost completely hidden at ground level, often mimicking surrounding stones.
- Substrate: limestone, gravel
- Environment: rocky hills, xeric habitats
- Altitude: 1600–2200 m
Distribution
- Mexico: Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas
Taxonomy
The genus Pelecyphora was established by Ehrenberg (1843).
Historically, the monotypic genus Encephalocarpus (E. strobiliformis) was merged into Pelecyphora, forming the two-species concept used today.
Molecular studies (Butterworth & Wallace 2004; Crozier 2005; Bàrcenas et al. 2011) confirm that Pelecyphora is not closely related to Mammillaria, but belongs within the Coryphantha clade.
A more recent phylogenetic study (Vázquez-Sánchez et al. 2013) suggests that Pelecyphora may form a broader lineage including some species currently placed in Escobaria (e.g. E. laredoi, E. chihuahuensis).
However, this interpretation lacks clear morphological support and may reflect genetic introgression or unresolved lineage divergence.
According to Joël Lodé (2015), the genus is accepted but considered provisionally correct pending further research.
Species
Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015).
Notes
- Pelecyphora is one of the most cryptic cactus genera.
- Shows strong morphological specialization for camouflage.
- Its phylogenetic position remains partially unresolved.
- Possible future expansion or restructuring depending on molecular data.
