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.

Not to be confused with Disocactus.

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.
Species

Discocactus albispinus
Discocactus bahiensis
Discocactus catingicola
Discocactus ferricola
Discocactus heptacanthus
Discocactus horstii
Discocactus placentiformis
Discocactus pseudoinsignis
Discocactus silicicola
Discocactus woutersianus
Discocactus zehntneri
etc.

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.

  • Discocactus horstii
  • Discocactus zehntneri
  • Discocactus placentiformis
  • Discocactus araneispinus
  • Discocactus boliviensis

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
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Data related to Discocactus at Wikispecies


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