Xerophyte

Habit

Sclerocactus nyensisSN|19518]]SN|19518]] grows solitary stems and sometimes forms a cluster of two or three stems. In habitat it is normally invisible, except when in flower or after good rains. Older plants eventually lose the ability to retract.

Central Spines

(1-)4-7(-8) per areole, lower and lateral ones red or reddish brown and usually hooked 20-60 mm long, upper ones flat white, straight and rarely hooked 25-45 mm long.

Seeds

3-3.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, black, irregularly furrowed; testa with rounded papillae.

Description

Sclerocactus nyensisSN|13716]]SN|19518]] commonly known as the Nye County fishhook cactus, is a rare cactus species with reddish spines that may or may not be hooked. The rose-colored flowers appears in spring.

Flowers

Funnelform to campanulate, rose-coloured to magenta 3-4 cm long, 2-2.5 cm across. Outer tepals with greenish purple midstripes and rose-purple or magenta margins, cuneate-spatulate, usually 10-17 mm long and 5-8 mm wide; inner tepals rose-purple to magenta, largest tepals ovate-lanceolate, 18-22 mm long 6-8 mm wide; filaments green to yellow; anthers cream to yellow.

Blooming Season

Spring (in habitat the flowering period begins in May).

Spines

Dense, obscuring stems.

Ribs

Distinct, 12-15, with well-formed tubercles.

Stem

Spheric, cylindric, or elongate-cylindric, 5-12(- 16) cm long, 4-8(-10) cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

12-17, whitish, flat, straight, (8-)10-17(-20) mm long.

Fruits

Barrel shaped, 15-20 long, 7-15 mm across, green to tan, dry at maturity, indehiscent or irregularly dehiscent.