Neogomesia

Neogomesia
File:Neogomesia agavoides.jpg
Kingdom	Plantae
Family	Cactaceae
Subfamily	Cactoideae
Tribe	Cacteae
SubTribe
Genus	Neogomesia
Species
Notes	Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). A unique, monotypic genus often included in Ariocarpus.

Etymology

Named in honor of Marte R. Gómez, a Mexican politician and supporter of botanical research.

Description

Neogomesia is a small, slow-growing cactus that looks more like a miniature agave or an artichoke than a traditional cactus.

• Stems: Mostly globose but largely hidden underground. The visible part consists of long, slender, triangular tubercles (3-5 cm long).
• Areoles: Located at the very tips of the tubercles, often bearing a small amount of wool but usually no spines in adult plants.
• Flowers: Large and spectacular, appearing from the center of the plant. They are funnel-shaped and bright magenta or purple.
• Roots: Large, tuberous "taproot" that stores water, allowing the plant to survive in bone-dry soil.

Distribution

• Mexico: Extremely limited distribution in the state of Tamaulipas. It is a rare and endangered species in the wild.

Species

Following the classification of Joël Lodé (2015):

• Neogomesia agavoides (Type species)

Taxonomy

While some modern molecular studies place it within Ariocarpus, Joël Lodé (2015) maintains Neogomesia as a separate genus due to its distinct morphological features, such as the position of the areoles and the unique shape of the tubercles. It represents an evolutionary bridge between several genera in the tribe Cacteae.