Ferocactus robustus

Ferocactus robustus
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Ferocactus
Species:	F. robustus
Binomial name
Ferocactus robustus (Pfeiffer) Britton & Rose, 1922
Synonyms
Echinocactus robustus Otto ex Pfeiff. 1837 Echinofossulocactus robustus (Otto ex Pfeiff.) Lawr. 1841 Echinocactus agglomeratus Karw. ex Pfeiff. 1837 Echinocactus robustus var. monstruosus Pfeiff. 1837 Echinocactus robustus var. prolifer Pfeiff. 1837 Echinocactus subulifer Link & Otto 1827 Melocactus prolifer Otto & A.Dietr. 1833

Ferocactus robustus is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus of the family Cacteae.

Description

Ferocactus robustus forms large cushions reaching a height up to 100 centimetres (39 in) and a diameter up to 5 metres (16 ft). This plant is spherical to club-shaped and has eight sharp-edged tuberous ribs with a diameter of 8 to 16 centimeters. The areoles, where thorns arise, are spaced far apart. The reddish or purple thorns include four to seven strong, protruding, straight central spines up to 6 centimeters long, and 10 to 14 lighter-colored radial spines, with upper ones resembling the central spines and lower ones being bristle-like.

The funnel-shaped flowers are yellow and reach a length of 3–4 centimetres (1.2–1.6 in). The fruits are spherical, fleshy, yellow, 2 to 3 inches long.^[2]

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  F. robustus in bloom
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  Flower
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  Plant cluster
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  Plant

Distribution

Ferocactus robustus is widespread in the states of Puebla and Veracruz in Mexico at elevations of 700 -1000 meters.

Taxonomy

Initially described as Echinocactus robustus in 1837 by Ludwig Georg Karl Pfeiffer, it was later classified under the genus Ferocactus by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in 1922.^[3] The species epithet 'robustus' is Latin for 'strong,' 'rough,' or 'firm,' referring to its robust appearance.^[4]

References