Sclerocactus glaucus

Sclerocactus glaucus with flowers in Colorado.

Sclerocactus glaucus is a species of the genus Sclerocactus in the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The botanical name glaucus was selected for the typical blue-green color habitus. An English common name is " Uinta Basin Hookless Cactus".

Sclerocactus glaucus is endangered and listed in Appendix I of CITES to protect endangered species.

Description

The spherical to ovoid growing Sclerocactus glaucus reaches stature heights 5 to 10 cm in length and diameter of 5 to 8 cm. The funnel-shaped, pink flowers have a length and a diameter of 3 to 6 cm. The flowering period begins in late April.

Sclerocactus glaucus is closely related with wrightiae Sclerocactus and Sclerocactus parviflorus and is a member of the Section Parviflori. The pubescente spines in the juvenile phase is an important feature of this kind, it differs from the juvenile spines of Sclerocactus wetlandicus and Sclerocactus parviflorus.

Dissemination

Sclerocactus glaucus is located on the Grand Mesa in Colorado near the Colorado River and Gunnison Rivers on flat, rocky, muddy hills at altitudes 1400-2000 meters. Associated with this species is often Pediocactus simpsonii, Escobaria missouriensis Echinocereus triglochidiatus f inermis and various Yucca and Opuntia species.

System

The first description as Echinocactus glaucus by Karl Moritz Schumann was published in 1898. Joseph Anton Purpus, however, had in 1895 mentioned the name in a short article. The American botanist J. Whitman Evans she put 1939 as Sclerocactus franklinii in the genus Sclerocactus. The valid description was published by Lyman David Benson 1966.

Endangering

In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, the type is known as " Least Concern ( LC) ," ie, than not led at risk.

Pictures

Sclerocactus glaucus in Colorado:

In full bloom.

In Gramma grass.

Young plants with blooms.