Cactaceae FAMILY Near Threatened

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is a very low-growing, succulent, evergreen plant with a rosette-like shape, growing from a large, fleshy taproot. The short, unbranched stem is around 3 - 7cm in diameter, and is almost level with the ground[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sought after by cactus enthusiasts as a curiosity,and is often illagally collected from the wild for horticulture[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus has a very wide distribution and has a very large population. However, the distribution is extremely fragmented primarily because the species is an edaphic specialist, but there is also habitat loss and degradation. The subpopulations are very disjunct, but known from at least 35 locations. Many of the locations are threatened by local people who collect the plants for medicinal purposes. The species is also impacted by habitat destruction and habitat degradation through human activities. This cactus will soon be extirpated at some locations. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern N. America - northeastern and eastern Mexico (Coahulia and Nuevo León,southwards to Querétaro)

HabitatIn and around the edges of the Chihuahuan Desert, where it grows on calcareous or gypsum soils mostly on silty flood plains[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].