Ancistrocactus

Morphological Summary

Small globular cacti from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico, with conical tubercles and strongly hooked central spines — hence the name, from the Greek ankistron (hook). They inhabit xerophytic scrublands on calcareous or clay soils, often in areas of seasonal rainfall. A small genus, with only two widely recognized species, both with restricted distribution and under pressure from illegal collection and habitat loss.