Obregonia

Morphological Summary

Monotypic genus of Cactaceae, one of the most singular in the entire family. Flattened globose body with LARGE, TRIANGULAR AND FLATTENED TUBERCLES arranged in a spiral, identical to artichoke leaves (hence its common name "artichoke cactus"). Exclusively endemic to the Jaumave Valley, Tamaulipas, Mexico. CITES Appendix I (maximum protection). NOM-059 Mexico: endangered. Named in honor of Álvaro Obregón (1880–1928), revolutionary general and president of Mexico. The species denegrii was described by Alberto Vojtěch Frič in 1925 and dedicated to Alberto Denegri, Tamaulipas cultural promoter. One of the most sought-after cacti by specialist collectors.