Stenocactus multicostatus

Stenocactus multicostatus, the brain cactus, is a member of the cactus family native to the deserts of Mexico, and is popular in the gardening community. Though it has only been reported in the shrublands of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas,[1] and Tamaulipas,[2] it has yet to be assessed using the IUCN Categories and Criteria because its taxonomy is still unclear.[3]

Stenocactus multicostatus
Stenocactus multicostatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Tribe:	Cacteae
Genus:	Stenocactus
Species:	S. multicostatus
Binomial name
Stenocactus multicostatus (Hildmann ex K. Schumann) Berger
Synonyms
Brittonrosea lloydii Brittonrosea multicostata Echinocactus lloydii Echinocactus multicostatus Echinofossulocactus erectocentrus Echinofossulocactus lloydii Echinofossulocactus multicostatus Efossus lloydii Efossus multicostatus Stenocactus lloydii

It grows up to 2.5 in (6 cm) tall, 2.4 to 4 in (6–10 cm) wide. It has nearly 100 thin ribs around the outside, each with six to nine spines. The upper spines are wider, at 1.6 to 3.2 in (4–8 cm) long, while the lower ones are shorter, at 0.2 to 0.6 in (5–15 mm) long. The flower is white to purple, 0.8 to 2 in (2–5 cm) in diameter with many stamens.[4]

Brain cactus in bloom

References

1. Hunt, D., Taylor, N. and Charles, G. (compilers and editors). 2006. The New Cactus Lexicon. dh Books, Milborne Port, UK.
2. Martínez-Ávalos, J.G. and Jurado, E. 2005. Geographic distribution and conservation of Cactaceae from Tamaulipas Mexico. Biodiversity and Conservation 14: 2483-2506.
3. Gómez-Hinostrosa, C., Sánchez , E., Guadalupe Martínez, J., Bárcenas Luna, R. & Goettsch, B.K. (2013). "Stenocactus multicostatus". 2014.3. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2015-01-11.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
4. "Brain Cactus". Desert Tropicals. Retrieved 2015-01-11.