Publication: Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 60(1): 35, 45. 1988 [Feb 1988]
Description
Sclerocactus schlesseri is a spiny succulent with a more-or-less oval stem, 3-14 cm tall. Flowers are bright pink and funnel-shaped. Sclerocactus schlesseri is generally included within (as a synonym of) Sclerocactus blainei, suggesting that there is not really a fundamental difference between the two.
Habit: Ovoidal and generally solitary.
Stem: 3-15 cm tall.
Spines: Spines are pubescent in young and early reproductive plants; The central spine number varies, and the number of hooked spines may number as many as six, with one central more developed, papery sometimes flattened, ribbon-like and longer than in Sclerocactus spinosior.
Flower: Pink-purplish borne at the apex of the stem, blooming in late-spring (May-June).
(In cultivation in April )
Remarks: Red flowers are common in species pollinated by birds (but also bat and insect)
Origin and Habitat
Sclerocactus schlesseri is a very rare cactus confined to the western USA. It occurs in Lincoln (and may be Nye County), Nevada; also in Utah (?). Possible or probable Nevada endemic. The population in Nye Co. is separated by more than 110 km from the colonies of Lincoln Co, but no intermediate plant colony are reported between this two localities. The number of wild individuals is very limited. In Lincoln County there are only 7 occurrences mapped at 1.0 km separation, or 13 occurrences mapped at 0.16 km separation; total estimated individuals 211, total estimated area 54.2 ha.
Altitude range: 1451-1568 meters above sea level.
Habitat and ecology: This species grows in open, stable or stabilized, gravelly, sandy silt or silty clay soils derived from somewhat ashy and/or gypsiferous lacustrine sediments, on mesic microsites created and/or maintained by gentle north to east aspects, dense shrub and/or grass canopies, high clay and silt content of the soil, and/or cryptobiotic soil crusts, usually associated with such soil crusts in the shadscale zone with Atriplex confertifolia, Gutierrezia sarothrae, Ericameria viscidiflora puberula, Krascheninnikovia lanata, Pleuraphis jamesii, Mentzelia albicaulis, Mimulus parryi, etc. This species is threatened by curtailment or destruction of soil crust and vegetation cover by recreational use, trampling by livestock or feral animals, off-road vehicle use, etc. It is also vulnerable to horticultural and hobby collection, some commercial or residential development, mineral exploration and development.
Cultivation and Propagation
This plant is very rare in cultivation, it is difficult to grow on its own roots and to propagate. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after planting. The seeds germinate with extreme difficulty and a low rate of success, seedlings do not do well either, and more die each year. Sclerocactus blainei is extremely xerophytic and adapted to very dry soils, but plants grafted on hardy stock (Opuntia humifusa, Echinocereus triglochidiatus etc…) are relatively easy to grow and no special skill is required, they can stay in a non heated green house. (min tem -20°C) … This interesting cactus, continues to be a particular prize among specialist collectors.
Propagation: Seeds are extremely difficult to germinate (only 2-3 percent of seeds germinate). The germination is really difficult and if some seedling finally sprout, as they start to grows they disappear one by one. Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to create a back-up for plants in collection.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Heil, K. and S. Welsh. “New Sclerocactus (Cactaceae) from Nevada.” Great Basin Naturalist 46: 677-678. 1987.
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Heil, K. D. and J. M. Porter. “Sclerocactus (Cactaceae): a revision.” Haseltonia 2: 20-46. 1994.
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Hochstaetter, F. “Het geslacht Sclerocactus: een revisie 1.” Succulenta 71: 247-262. 1992.
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Hochstaetter, F. “Nieuwe combinaties in het geslacht Sclerocactus.” Succulenta 74: 38-44. 1992.
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Morefield, J. D. “Status report for Sclerocactus schlesseri Heil and Welsh (1987).” Carson City: Nevada Natural Heritage Program, prepared for the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Land Management, Reno 1994.
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Nevada natural heritage program.“Sclerocactus schlesseri Heil & Welsh - SCHLESSER PINCUSHION” Rare plant fact sheet. Compiled 25 June 2001 <http://heritage.nv.gov/sites/default/files/atlas/sclerschle.pdf\> web 30 January 2016
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Lincoln County Land Act Groundwater Development and Utility Right-of-way Project: Environmental Impact Statement 2009
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David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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J. Mark Porter in: “Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World”, Volume 2 Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001
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Leo J. Chance “Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates: 274 Outstanding Species for Challenging Conditions” Timber Press, 19 June 2012
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J. Mark Porter in: “Endangered Wildlife and Plants of the World”, Volume 2 Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001
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“Sclerocactus blainei” in Flora of North America @ efloras.org <http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora\_id=1&taxon\_id=242415293\> FNA Vol. 4 Page 204 . web 30 January 2016
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Stephen Ingram “Cacti, Agaves, and Yuccas of California and Nevada” Cachuma Press, 2008
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Butterworth, C. & Porter, J.M. 2013. Sclerocactus spinosior. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 February 2014.
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