Autor: Backeberg
• ETYMOLOGY
“Scaly Coryphantha”, because the pericarpel of the genus has some scales, as opposed with Coryphantha, which is without scales.
• DESCRIPTION
Genus of globose to elongated plants forming large clumps, with fleshy roots. Stems rather soft, with significant conicocylindrical tubercles, having a longitudinal groove, nectariferous glands sometimes present. Spines curved and flexible.
Flowers diurnal, self-sterile, funnel-shaped, petals ciliate, intense pink to red magenta, with a darker midstripe, pollinated by hymenoptera and diptera. Fruits green with aqueous pulp, floral remains persistent. Seeds light brown to brownish, keeping the remnants of the mucilage.
• HABITAT
Although it is composed of one species and subspecies, the genus Lepidocoryphantha offers a wide geographic distribution, growing among grasses, in dry grasslands and arid mountains of the Chihuahuan desert, on clayey or gravelly soils, from 800 m up to 2230 m in altitude.
• DISTRIBUTION
Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas), USA (New Mexico, Texas).
Currently only one recognised species + one subspecies:
– Lepidocoryphantha macromeris* (Engelm.) Backeb. 1942
– Lepidocoryphantha macromeris subsp. runyonii (Britton & Rose) Doweld 1999
References: "TAXONOMY of the CACTACEAE" - ISBN 978-84-617-3723-9 (Vol. 1)