Turbinicarpus valdezianus

Turbinicarpus valdezianus
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix I (CITES)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Turbinicarpus
Species:	T. valdezianus
Binomial name
Turbinicarpus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Glass & R.C.Foster
Synonyms
Echinocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Boed. 1930 Gymnocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Backeb. 1966 Mammillaria valdeziana (H.Moeller) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton 1942 Neolloydia valdeziana (H.Moeller) E.F.Anderson 1986 Normanbokea valdeziana (H.Moeller) Kladiwa & Buxb. 1969 Pediocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Halda 1998 Pelecyphora valdeziana H.Moeller 1930 Pseudosolisia valdeziana (H.Moeller) Y.Itô 1981 Thelocactus valdezianus (H.Moeller) Borg 1937 Gymnocactus valdezianus var. albiflorus (Pazout) Backeb. 1966 Pelecyphora plumosa Boed. & Ritter in Monatsschr. Deutsch. 1930 Pelecyphora valdeziana var. albiflora Pazout 1960 Pseudosolisia valdeziana var. albiflora Y.Itô 1981 Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. albiflorus (Pazout) Zachar, Staník, Lux & Dráb 1996 Turbinicarpus valdezianus var. pazoutii Halda & Malina 2005

Turbinicarpus valdezianus is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae.

Description

Turbinicarpus valdezianus, one of the smallest and slowest-growing plants in its genus, has tiny feathery spines that obscure its body. While it is usually found growing solitary, it can occasionally form clumps. When young, this plant has spherical stems that later become cylindrical with a narrower base and short, spirally arranged tubercles. The apex is entirely covered by the plumose spination. About half of the plant is underground, supported by a substantial taproot. These plants typically reach heights of 3-5 cm and diameters of 1-2 cm. They are adorned with 25-30 dense, feathery, white spines, each measuring around 0.5 mm long and spreading flat around the areoles.

In the spring, Turbinicarpus valdezianus produces 1-5 flowers that open during the day at the plant's apex. It is found scattered in small populations across various locations. The color of its flowers varies from pinkish-white to bright pink, with darker magenta or reddish-brown midveins.

Distribution

This species thrives in the Chihuahuan Desert of Mexico, ranging from Saltillo in Coahuila state to nearly Matehuala in San Luis Potosí, at elevations of 1400 to 1600 meters. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. It is threatened by habitat loss.

References

• Fitz Maurice, W.A.; Fitz Maurice, B (2017). "Turbinicarpus valdezianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T41000A121558667. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T41000A121558667.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

External links

• Media related to Turbinicarpus valdezianus at Wikimedia Commons
• Data related to Turbinicarpus valdezianus at Wikispecies
• turbinicarpus/turbinicarpus-valdezianus Turbinicarpus (Turbinicarpus valdezianus) media from ARKive