Kroenleinia grusonii
| Kroenleinia grusonii | |
|---|---|
| |
| Echinocactus grusoniiin a cactus collection | |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Kroenleinia |
| Species: | K. grusonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Kroenleinia grusonii (Hildm.) Lodé
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Kroenleinia grusonii,popularly known as thegolden barrel cactus,golden ball,"mother-in-law's cushion"or"mother-in-law’s chair",is a species ofbarrel cactuswhich isendemicto east-centralMexico.
The golden barrel cactus israreandendangered—potentially regionally extinct—in nature. It is native to theMexican statesofQuerétaroandHidalgo,particularly near Mesa de León.[1]Wild populations ofK. grusoniiwere adversely affected in the 1990s as a result of wild specimens being poached as well as the creation of theZimapán Damandreservoir(in Hidalgo).[1]The golden barrel cactus is a fairly adaptable species, but naturally prefers growing in rich, volcanic (but well-aerated) soil on sunny slopes, where water quickly flees from its roots. The species may be found growing at altitudes as high as 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) above sea level.[1]
Taxonomy
[edit]Kroenleinia grusoniiwas originally placed in the small genusEchinocactus,which, together with the related genusFerocactus,are collectively referred to as ball orbarrel cacti,and occasionally as fish-hook cacti. The species was first described by German plantsmanHeinrich Hildmannin 1891, and was named for German industrialist and cacti-collectorHermann Gruson.While sometimes referred to as 'golden ball', this species is not to be confused with the "other" golden ball,Notocactus leninghausii,which has fuzzy, harmless spines and is native toBrazilandParaguay.
Recentphylogeneticstudies have found thatEchinocactus grusoniiis probablypolyphyletic,with respect to the rest ofEchinocactus,and is likely a result ofhybridizationbetweenEchinocactusandFerocactus.To correct this,Echinocactus grusoniiwas moved to its own genus, and, under this scheme, the new species name becameKroenleinia grusoniiLodé.[2]However, thus far, not all authorities have accepted this change.[3]
Description
[edit]Growing as a large, roughlyspherical-globular and generally solitary (although basal shoots may sprout from adult specimens),K. grusoniimay eventually reach over 1 metre (3.3 ft) in height, after many years, with a diameter of 40 to 80 centimeters (around 2-3 feet across). The lifespan of a single generation is estimated at 10-30 years. Younger plants do not look similar to mature specimens, with more green tissue visible and lighter-colored spines.[1]
There may be up to 21–35 pronounced ribs on mature plants, though they are not evident in young plants, which may have a knobbly appearance. The areoles are yellow and somewhat woolly when the plant is young, then whitish, and finally, greyish. The sharpspinesare long, straight or slightly recurved, and various shades of yellow or, occasionally, white or beige. Spines are quite large, somewhat textured (though not serrated) and are 1 or 2 cm (up to 1 ") apart from each other. The radial spines are arranged evenly, numbering between 8 and 10, and measure more than 3 cm (1.18" ) in length. The central spines numbering between 3 and 5, and measure about 5 cm (nearly 2 "). They are strong, striated and fairly straight, although the central ones may be slightly curved downwards.
Puffy yellowflowersappear in summer at the top, around the crown, of the plant, but only after many years. They are 4 to 6 centimeters (up to 2.5 ") long and 3 to 5 centimeters (1" ) in diameter. The flowers only appear on older specimens and last for three days. The spherical, somewhat elongated, edible yellowish-greenish fruits are covered with white wool. They are 1.2 to 2 centimeters long and contain smooth, shiny brown seeds.[4]If left undisturbed, flowers eventually becomepollinatedbynectivorousbats,beesandlepidopterans,and dry into seed pods to be wind- or animal-dispersed.
Cultivation
[edit]
Kroenleinia grusoniiis widely cultivated by specialtyplant nurseriesas anornamental plant,for planting incontainers,deserthabitat gardens,rock gardens,and in conservatories.[5]A white-spined and a short-spined form, as well as a teal-blue cultivar ('Blue barrel'), are also in-cultivation.
The golden barrel is among the most popular cacti in collections and in landscaping, and has increasingly become popular as an architectural accent plant in contemporary garden designs.[citation needed]
The golden barrel cactus is considered one of the easiest to care for, and is a relatively fast grower in warmer climates, around the world. The plants do have some basic requirements: an average minimumwintertemperature of 12 °C (53.6 °F) (though they can tolerate brief periods of lower temperatures if provided with adequate cover and frost protection), with good drainage being the key factor. As with most succulents, the golden barrel survives with less water in winter; in nature, it is found on elevated, angled slopes, where precipitation and runoff quickly washes over the roots and leaves the plant; pooling water quickly leads toroot rotand eventual death of the entire plant.[5]In some climates, the species is hardy to about −8 °C (15 °F) for brief periods.
Despite being endangered and locally-extinct in its nativeCentral Mexico,K. grusoniimay be found in many countries, on several continents, in both non-native wild populations and private and public gardens. It is particularly popular in the collections of desert plants withinbotanical gardens,where it is often successfully bred and propagated. In theUK,the golden barrel cactus has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[6][7]In the Americas, it is found in various locations, from Mexico south throughChile,and notably throughout theAmerican Southwestand theU.S. West Coast.It is also found on severalCaribbeanislands. In Europe, it is found nearly everywhere around theMediterranean Seaand theLevant,theMiddle East,toSouth Asia,South AfricaandAustralia,among other locations.
Gallery
[edit]-
Mature golden barrels showing their distinctive clustering habit. Photo from theHuntington Desert Gardenin California. -
Closeup of the top -
Kroenleinia,a nearly spineless form -
Kroenleinia grusoniispine detail at theUnited States Botanic Gardens -
Stereoscopiccrossview of a golden barrel cactus -
Spine detail -
Flower detail -
Fruit detail -
Seeds -
Mature golden barrel in cluster form in a greenhouse inKalimpong
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdeGuadalupe Martínez, J.; Sánchez, E.; Gómez-Hinostrosa, C. (2013)."Echinocactus grusonii".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.2013:e.T40962A2947851.doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T40962A2947851.en.Retrieved12 November2021.
- ^abLodé, J. (2014). "Kroenleiniagen. nov. J. Lodé: a new genus for a well-known cactus:Echinocactus grusonii".Cactus Adventures International.102:25−29.
- ^Vargas-Luna, Mario Daniel; Hernández-Ledesma, Patricia; Majure, Lucas Charles; Puente-Martínez, Raúl; Hernández Macías, Héctor Manuel; Bárcenas Luna, Rolando Tenoch (2018)."Splitting Echinocactus: Morphological and molecular evidence support the recognition of Homalocephala as a distinct genus in the Cacteae".PhytoKeys(111): 31–59.doi:10.3897/phytokeys.111.26856.PMC6246732.PMID30483031.
- ^Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005).Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon(in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 188.ISBN3-8001-4573-1.
- ^ab[1]Archived2013-01-04 at theWayback Machine.accessed 6.30.2013
- ^"RHS Plantfinder -Echinocactus grusonii".Retrieved12 January2018.
- ^"AGM Plants - Ornamental"(PDF).Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 33.Retrieved14 February2018.
- Preston-Mafham, Rod & Ken (1992).Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary.Blandford Press.ISBN978-0-7137-2092-1.
External links
[edit]
Media related toKroenleinia grusoniiat Wikimedia Commons
Data related toKroenleinia grusoniiat Wikispecies
