Ariocarpus is a small genus of Mexican rock cactus (one species is found in Texas). They have curious rock-like forms and textures, and blend very well with the soil and rocks in their native habitat. They have no spines and the rock like texture has the side effect to reflect the heat of the sun and give them some insulation in summer. They also have a strong turnip-like root that, according to some authors, is able to contract during drought, and somewhat pull them closer to the ground.
All this camouflage has not protected them from cactus hunters, and they slow growth has made them less able to react fast enough to the changes in habitat brought by agriculture and ranching. They are all endangered and protected in their habitats.
In cultivation they are extremely slow to grow, they need summer heat, and a good drainage.
They are propagated by seeds. The seedlings are often grafted on other species to increase the speed at which it grows.
Species and varieties
Ariocarpus agavoides
Ariocarpus fissuratus (Chautle Living Rock, False Peyote)
Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. bravoanus
Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. hintonii
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Ariocarpus retusus (Living Rock, Seven Stars)
Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus
Ariocarpus retusus ssp. trigonus
Ariocarpus scaphirostris
Ariocarpus aselliformis synonym of Pelecyphora aselliformis (Peyotillo)
Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. bravoanus synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. bravoanus
Ariocarpus bravoanus ssp. hintonii synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. hintonii
Ariocarpus confusus synonym of Ariocarpus retusus (Living Rock, Seven Stars)
Ariocarpus denegrii synonym of Obregonia denegrii (Artichoke cactus)
Ariocarpus disciformis synonym of Strombocactus disciformis
Ariocarpus disciformis ssp. jarmilae synonym of Strombocactus disciformis
Ariocarpus elongatus synonym of Ariocarpus retusus (Living Rock, Seven Stars)
Ariocarpus fissuratus var. hintonii synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. hintonii
Ariocarpus fissuratus var. lloydii synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus (Chautle Living Rock, False Peyote)
Ariocarpus furfuraceus synonym of Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus var. albiflorus synonym of Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus var. elephantidens synonym of Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus ssp. agavoides synonym of Ariocarpus agavoides
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus ssp. bravoanus synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus ssp. bravoanus
Ariocarpus lloydii synonym of Ariocarpus fissuratus (Chautle Living Rock, False Peyote)
Ariocarpus pulcherrimus synonym of Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae
Ariocarpus pulvilligeris synonym of Ariocarpus retusus (Living Rock, Seven Stars)
Ariocarpus scapharostrus synonym of Ariocarpus scaphirostris
Ariocarpus strobiliformis synonym of Pelecyphora strobiliformis (Pinecone Cactus)
Ariocarpus trigonus synonym of Ariocarpus retusus ssp. trigonus
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