Pterocactus (from Greek pteron, "wing", referring to the saucer-shaped seed of these plants) is a genus of the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising 9 species. All Pterocactus have tuberous roots and are endemic to South and Western Argentina. The genus has been given its own tribe, the Pterocacteae. A molecular phylogenetic analysis placed the genus in the tribe Tephrocacteae.

Species

Species of the genus Pterocactus according to Plants of the World Online As of January 2023[update]:

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Pterocactus araucanus Castell.Argentina
Pterocactus australis (F.A.C.Weber) Backeb.Argentina, Chile
Pterocactus fischeri Britton & RoseArgentina
Pterocactus gonjianii R.KieslingArgentina (San Juan).
Pterocactus hickenii Britton & RoseArgentina, Chile
Pterocactus megliolii R.KieslingArgentina (San Juan)
Pterocactus neuquensis R.Kiesling, E.Sarnes & N.SarnesArgentina (Neuquén)
Pterocactus reticulatus R.KieslingArgentina (San Juan, Mendoza)
Pterocactus tuberosus (Pfeiff.) Britton & RoseArgentina
Pterocactus valentini Speg.Argentina

External links

  • Media related to Pterocactus at Wikimedia Commons
  • Data related to Pterocactus at Wikispecies