Rapicactus zaragosae

Rapicactus zaragosae, synonym Turbinicarpus zaragosae, is a species of plant in the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. It is threatened by habitat destruction.

Description
Rapicactus zaragosae is a solitary, club-shaped cactus with stems that are globular to cylindrical, reaching up to 150 mm in height and 50 mm in width. The stems are greenish-blue with a woolly apex, and the areoles in the flowering area are very woolly. The tubercles of this cactus are pyramidal or conical. It has 21-25 radial spines that are slightly bent backwards, thickened at the base, glassy white with a brown tip, and measure 3-6 mm in length, except for 2 or 3 bristle-like spines that can reach up to 2 cm. Additionally, there are 2 brownish-black central spines that turn grey with age, one of which is erect and darker, measuring around 15-20 mm long. The flowers of Rapicactus zaragosae are slender and funnel-shaped, ranging in color from pale yellow to violet, with a darker mid-vein. They are 18-20 mm long and 15-30 mm wide, blooming in spring to summer. The fruits are greenish-brown.

Distribution
Plants are found growing on gypsum hills in the municipalities of Zaragosa and South of Aramberri in Nuevo Leon, Mexico at elevations of 1200-1700 meters. The plants are found growing with Thelocactus conothelos subsp. aurantiacus and Cochemiea conoidea.