Discocactus

Not to be confused with Disocactus.

Discocactus
File:The Cactaceae Vol III, plate XXIV filtered.jpg
Discocactus bahiensis (lower left)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core 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.

Discocactus is a genus of tropical cactus. 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.

The plants have a slightly flattened spherical shape. Areoles bear sharp spines. At the apex of the adult plants, appeared a woolish cephalium white ot z little bit yellow or grey. On the sides of the cephalium appear white nocturnous flowers. Fruits are pink or red. They contains black seeds.

• Discocactus horstii.jpg

  Discocactus horstii

• Discocactus araneispinus habit.jpg

  Discocactus zehntneri

• Discocactus placentiformis.jpg

  Discocactus placentiformis

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

• (French) photos on www.AIAPS.org
• (English) photos on www.cactiguide.com