Corynopuntia
| Corynopuntia | |
|---|---|
| File:Corynopuntia invicta.jpg | |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily | Opuntioideae |
| Tribe | Cylindropuntieae |
| SubTribe | |
| Genus | Corynopuntia |
| Species | |
| Notes | Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015), recognizing it as distinct from Grusonia. |
Etymology
The name translates to "Club-Opuntia," derived from the Greek koryne (club/mace), referring to the characteristic club-shaped or clavate stem segments of the plants in this genus.
Description
Corynopuntia comprises dwarf, bushy, and low-growing cacti that form dense, spreading mats. The stems are divided into short cylindrical or club-shaped segments (cladodes) which are prominently tuberculate but lack ribs.
A distinguishing feature is their spine structure: the spines possess a papery sheath only at their tips. Usually, one spine per areole is notably sturdier, flattened, and sometimes has a bulbous base. Glochids are always present. The flowers are diurnal and mostly light yellow, though rare white or red forms exist. The fruits are initially fleshy but become dry and less spiny as they mature. The seeds are large, flattened, and straw-colored.
Habitat
The genus is native to the Mojave and Chihuahuan deserts. They thrive in extremely arid conditions, from sea level up to 2500 m. They are commonly found in the "matorral" (xerophytic shrubland), growing on gravelly alluvial plains, rocky limestone outcrops, and stabilized dunes. Due to their dense and formidable spination, these plants often provide essential protection for small desert rodents and lizards.
Distribution
- Mexico: Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sonora, Zacatecas.
- USA: Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas.
Species
Joël Lodé recognizes 17 species and one subspecies:
- Corynopuntia aggeria
- Corynopuntia agglomerata
- Corynopuntia bulbispina
- Corynopuntia clavata
- Corynopuntia emoryi
- Corynopuntia grahamii
- Corynopuntia guccinii
- Corynopuntia invicta
- Corynopuntia kunzei
- Corynopuntia marenae
- Corynopuntia moelleri
- Corynopuntia nigrispina
- Corynopuntia parishii
- Corynopuntia reflexispina
- Corynopuntia robertsii
- Corynopuntia schottii
- Corynopuntia vilis
Notes
- Taxonomic History: While some authors (like Anderson, 2001) merged this genus into Grusonia, molecular and morphological studies (Griffith, 2002; Griffith & Porter, 2009) justify the reinstatement of Corynopuntia as a valid, distinct genus.
- Marenopuntia: Molecular data (Bárcenas et al., 2011) confirmed that the taxon previously known as Marenopuntia marenae is nested within Corynopuntia.
- Identification: Great care must be taken in identifying species like C. bulbispina and C. agglomerata, as they are frequently confused in literature and collections.
