Biznaguita (Mammillaria sanchez-mejoradae)

Small flowering biznaguita
Small flowering biznaguita

Biznaguita fact file

Biznaguita description

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderCaryophyllales
FamilyCactaceae
GenusMammillaria (1)

This tiny cactus is extremely rare, and was only discovered in 1986 (2). The plant consists of a single small stem that is only around 25 cm across and is just visible above the ground. The stem is covered in many tiny swellings (known as tubercles), radiating numerous white spines that are tightly pressed against the cactus stem (2). White flowers emerge in a ring around the neck of the cactus; they open to 21 mm across revealing violet stripes in the middle of the petals and striking yellow stigmas. The fruit releases the majority of its seeds when the plant dies, having previously been sunken into the stem of the cactus (2).

Size
Stem diameter: 25 cm (2)
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Biznaguita biology

Little is known about this recently discovered cactus.

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Biznaguita range

Endemic to Mexico and known only from a single location in central Nuevo León (2).

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Biznaguita habitat

The single location comprises a limestone outcrop at 1,900 - 2,000 metres above sea level (2).

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Biznaguita status

Classified as Critically Endangered (CR - B1ab(v)+2ab(v)) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1), and listed on Appendix II of CITES (3).

IUCN Red List species status – Critically Endangered

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Biznaguita threats

This highly attractive and unusual cactus is extremely popular with collectors and the location of the single population is well known (1). It is estimated that the number of Biznaguitas in the wild has declined by as much as 75% since its discovery in the mid-1980s, principally as a result of over-collection (1).

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Biznaguita conservation

In recognition of the worrying population decline, the Biznaguita was upgraded to Critically Endangered on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) 2002 Red List of Threatened Species (1). This cactus is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (3), thus restricting trade in wild plants; however, a greater enforcement of these restrictions is required if this attractive cactus is to remain in the wild (1).

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Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.ukTop

Glossary

Endemic
A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
Stigma
The receptive part of the female reproductive organ of a flower. Pollen germinates on the stigma. (See http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/ksheets/pdfs/flower.pdf for a fact sheet on flower structure).
Tubercules
In cacti, a small wart-like or angular swelling upon the stem.
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References

  1. IUCN Red List (February, 2003) www.redlist.org
  2. Anderson, E.F., Arias Montes, S. & Taylor, N.P. (1994) Threatened Cacti of Mexico. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. CITES (February, 2003) www.cites.org

More »Related species

Biznaguita (Mammillaria microhelia)Biznaguita (Mammillaria rettigiana)Mammillaria (Mammillaria duwei)Mammillaria (Mammillaria albicoma)Mammillaria (Mammillaria sinistrohamata)Biznaguita (Mammillaria marcosii)Mammillaria (Mammillaria pennispinosa)Mammillaria (Mammillaria herrerae)

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Image credit

Small flowering biznaguita  
Small flowering biznaguita

© Norman Dennis

Norman Dennis
ndennis43@cox.net

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