Pelecyphora abdita

Stem and root in the 2012 characterisation

In Řepka and Gebauer's comparison, Pelecyphora abdita (Escobaria abdita in the account) has a small above-ground part, about 25 mm tall and 20 mm wide. Tubercles measure 10–14 mm. The authors describe a spherical to turnip-shaped, slightly branched storage root reaching up to 10 cm long. Much of the plant remains below ground for most of the year. Offset production was associated primarily with damage to the apex. [Řepka and Gebauer 2012, pp. 142–144, Table 3]

The anatomical material examined came from El Oro in the state of Coahuila. The current POWO record confirms the species from Coahuila and its former name Escobaria abdita. The 2012 results retain their connection to this specific origin. The current name also includes subspecies distinguished later. [2-WWW]

Finger-shaped spines and four tissue zones

The morphological characterisation gives 10–15 short spines per areole, 3.5–5 mm long. They are finger-shaped, constricted at the base, and whitish to pale horn-coloured. Their arrangement can be comb-like, sometimes radial. The surface could appear porous, but microscopic observations showed closed, sclerified cells. The spines examined lacked epidermal hairs. [Řepka and Gebauer 2012, p. 139, 142–143, tabela 3, ryc. 1A]

The cross-section revealed an epidermis, one or two layers of subsurface cells, larger fibres in the outer part and smaller fibres in the core. The mean maximum diameter of epidermal cells was 48.4 µm. Outer fibres had walls averaging 2.0 µm thick, and core fibres 2.4 µm. Measurements were made after hydrating the preparations, on cultivated material. The authors used this four-zone organisation as one of the traits distinguishing the species from the other plants examined. [Řepka and Gebauer 2012, pp. 141, 143–145, Table 2, Fig. 2A]

Flower and drying fruit

In the comparison of traits, flowers are whitish with faint pinkish bands on the tepals. They are about 35–42 mm long, exceptionally up to 45 mm, and 30–35 mm wide. The ripe fruit is obovoid, grey-green to light brown, and 6–8 mm long. Its wall quickly dries to a parchment-like form. Seeds measure 1.50–1.75 mm. These data come from the publication's morphological characterisation, compiled from earlier literature and the authors' observations. [Řepka and Gebauer 2012, pp. 142–144, Table 3]