Mesa Verde fishhook cactus facts for kids
The Mesa Verde fishhook cactus (scientific name: Sclerocactus mesae-verdae) is a special type of cactus. It grows naturally in just a few places in the southwestern United States, mainly in northwestern New Mexico and southwestern Colorado. This cactus is very rare and is listed as an endangered species, which means it needs protection to survive.
You can only find this cactus in two specific areas: Montezuma County in Colorado and San Juan County in New Mexico. A large part of where it grows in New Mexico is on land managed by the Navajo Nation. In Colorado, these cacti live near the famous Mesa Verde National Park.
Quick facts for kids Mesa Verde cactus |
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Cacteae
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S. mesae-verdae
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| Sclerocactus mesae-verdae (Boissev. & C. Davidson) L.D. Benson
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What it Looks Like
The Mesa Verde fishhook cactus is a type of cactus that usually grows as a single plant, not in clumps.
Size and Shape
- It can grow up to 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) tall.
- It can be up to 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) wide.
- The cactus has 13 to 17 long ridges running down its sides.
- It does not have obvious bumps, called tubercules, on its surface.
Spines
- Each small cushion-like area, called an areole, has 7 to 14 spines that stick out sideways. These are called radial spines and can be up to 13 millimeters long.
- It also has 0 to 4 central spines, which are usually straight. Sometimes, these central spines can be hooked, like a fishhook! They can be up to 15 millimeters long.
Flowers and Fruit
- The flowers are shaped like bells or trumpets.
- They can be up to 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) wide and 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) tall.
- The flowers are usually white or yellow.
- Some of the outer petals have purple stripes running down their centers.
- When the fruit is ripe, it is tan and shaped like a cylinder. It can be up to 10 millimeters long.
- The seeds inside the fruit are black.
See also
In Spanish: Sclerocactus mesae-verdae para niños
