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|habit=cacti-succulent
|habit=cacti-succulent
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|habit_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
|lifespan=perennial
|features=flowers
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
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|image=Sclerocactus unc wrig Flower.jpg
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'''''Sclerocactus''''' ("hard [[cactus]]", from [[Greek language|Greek]]; refers to the hard, dry fruit) is a [[genus]] of [[cactus|cacti]]. It comprises about 15 species, the exact number depending on the authority.
These species are very [[xerophytic]]. They are sometimes called 'fishhook cactus' or 'little barrels'.
They are ovoid to elongate cylindric, have rigid stems with [[tubercules]] that are ± coalesced into ribs, and are ± covered with spines that come out of the [[aeroles]].<ref name='fna'>Sclerocactus. Flora of North America Online. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=129764. Accessed 17 December 2007.</ref> Most species have at least one hooked spine at each areole. Less often, species may not have hooks. These plants are found in higher elevation deserts such as on the [[Colorado Plateau]], or in the [[Mohave Desert]] or the [[Great Basin]]. They are well suited to extremes due to lack of rainfall, hot summers and below freezing winters.
''S. parviflorus'' is the most common species; its flowers are usually pink, but are yellow in a few areas (see photo) or, rarely, white or intermediate shades. ''S. polyancistrus'' is the ‘giant’ of the [[genus]]. Some species are quite rare and need considerable further study.
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
==Varieties==
==Species==
*''[[Sclerocactus blainei]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus brevispinus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus cloverae]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus glaucus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus mesae-verdae]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus nyensis]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus papyracanthus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus parviflorus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus polyancistrus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus pubispinus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus scheeri]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus sileri]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus spinosior]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus uncinatus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus wetlandicus]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus whipplei]]''
*''[[Sclerocactus wrightiae]]''
The following genera have been brought into synonymy with ''Sclerocactus'' and this is commonly accepted:
*''Coloradoa'' <small>[[Boissev.]] & [[C.Davidson]]</small>
*''Toumeya'' <small>[[Nathaniel Lord Britton|Britton]] & [[Joseph Nelson Rose|Rose]]</small>
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
