Native Plants

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Carr, Bill

Ancistrocactus tobuschii

Ancistrocactus tobuschii (W.T. Marshall) W.T. Marshall ex Backeb.

Tobusch Fishhook Cactus, Shorthook Fishhook Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Echinocactus tobuschii, Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii

USDA Symbol: ANTO3

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Plants solitary, hemispheric, spheric or subcylindrical. Tuberculate. Tubercles armed with up to 20 hook-shaped, pale yellow (turning gray with age) spines to about 2-1/2 inches long. The 3 to 5 central spines have red tips early.

Phylogenetic evidence suggests reclassification of this taxon as Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii.

This taxon was a federally-listed endangered species until 2018 and is currently listed as threatened. Wild-growing plants should not be collected or otherwise disturbed.

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: To about 3-1/2 inches in height and diameter.
Flower: 1 to 1-1/2 inches in diameter.
Fruit: Berrylike. Matures in late April to Early May.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr
Bloom Notes: Flowers persist about one week.

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Endemic to Texas' Edwards Plateau.
Native Habitat: Primarily upland Ashe Juniper-Live Oak woodlands and savannas on very shallow, gravelly soils where bare rock and rock fragments comprise a large proportion of the surface cover. Also found in suitable riparian habitats.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Threatened & Endangered Status

USFWS Species Profile: Q1SV
Status: Threatened
Historic Range: U.S.A. (TX)
Critical Habitat: N/A
Special Rules: N/A
This information is derived from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serrvice Environmental Conservation Online System.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Ancistrocactus tobuschii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Ancistrocactus tobuschii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Ancistrocactus tobuschii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2018-06-12
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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