Echinocactus platyacanthus

Botanical Description

Echinocactus platyacanthus is a spiny, evergreen, succulent, barrel-shaped cactus with an often massive, globose to broadly columnar or barrel-shaped stem that can be 50 - 250cm tall and 40 - 80cm in diameter[ 1987 Title The Cactus Family Publication Author Anderson E.F. Publisher Timber Press; Portland, Oregon Year 2001 ISBN 0-88192-498-9 Description An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation.. ]. This species is probably one of the two most economically important barrel cacti growing in Mexico (the other is Ferocactus histrix (DC.) G.E.Linds.). The plant is widely exploited from the wild as a food and medicine, and is also removed from the wild to be grown as an ornamental. The flower buds are especially popular as a food, being sold in local markets, and there is a large industry making candy from the flesh of the stems. The importance of this species increases with the aridity of the land in which it grows and its inadequacy for agriculture[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Echinocactus platyacanthus is a wide spread but slow-growing species that is currently being exploited at unsustainable levels, and there are few young individuals in the population. There is a strong need for regulation on the use of this species for candy and livestock forage in order to ensure sustainable use levels. Further research is needed to understand the life history, demography, and impact of human use. Based upon current trends, this species will become threatened in near future without increased protections and enforcement. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].