Discocactus
Discocactus is a genus of tropical cacti. The name comes from the ancient Greek diskos (=disc) because of its shape. Discocactus plants are endemic to southern Brazil, eastern Bolivia, and northern Paraguay. These species are in the risk of extinction in the wild.
| Discocactus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Discocactus bahiensis (lower left) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Tribe: | Trichocereeae |
| Genus: | Discocactus Pfeiff. |
| Type species | |
| Discocactus placentiformis | |
| Species | |
|
See Text | |
Description
The plants have a slightly flattened spherical shape. The areoles bear sharp spines. At the apex of the adult plants, there is a wooly cephalium, white or shaded with yellow or grey. The white nocturnal flowers appear on the sides of the cephalium. The fruits are pink or red and contain black seeds.
Species
All species are listed under Appendix I of CITES meaning commercial international trade is prohibited and non-commercial international trade is regulated.[1]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 | Discocactus bahiensis Britton & Rose | Brazil (Bahia) |
 | Discocactus boliviensis Buining & Brederoo | Bolivia (Santa Cruz) |
 | Discocactus catingicola Buining & Brederoo | Brazil (Mato Grosso) |
 | Discocactus diersianus Esteves | Brazil (Goiás) |
 | Discocactus fariae-peresii P.J.Braun | Brazil (Goiás) |
 | Discocactus ferricola Buining & Brederoo | Bolivia to Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul) |
 | Discocactus hartmannii (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose | Paraguay to Brazil (Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul) |
 | Discocactus heptacanthus (Barb.Rodr.) Britton & Rose | Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, Tarija), Brazil (Bahia, Goias, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais), Paraguay (Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central Departemento, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones (Departamento), Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro) |
 | Discocactus horstii Buining & Brederoo | Brazil (Minas Gerais: Mun. Grão-Mogol) |
_P.J.Braun_%2526_Esteves.jpg.webp) | Discocactus placentiformis (Lehm.) K.Schum. | Brazil (Minas Gerais) |
| Discocactus pseudoinsignis N.P.Taylor & Zappi | Brazil (Minas Gerais) | |
_P.J.Braun_%2526_Esteves_Bahia_Brasil.jpg.webp) | Discocactus zehntneri Britton & Rose | Brazil(Bahia) |
References
- "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
Bibliography
- Edward F. Anderson : The Cactus Family. Timber Press: Portland (Oregon), 2001, p. 218-221 ISBN 0-88192-498-9
- N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose: The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family. Washington, 1920
External links
Data related to Discocactus at Wikispecies
- (in French) photos on www.AIAPS.org
- (in English) photos on www.cactiguide.com
