Pterocactus

Pterocactus
Pterocactus tuberosus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Embryophytes
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Spermatophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Opuntioideae
Tribe:	Tephrocacteae
Genus:	Pterocactus K.Schum.
Type species
Pterocactus kuntzei
Species
See text

Pterocactus (from Greek pteron, "wing", referring to the saucer-shaped seed of these plants) is a genus of the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising 9 species. All Pterocactus have tuberous roots and are endemic to South and Western Argentina. The genus has been given its own tribe, the Pterocacteae. A molecular phylogenetic analysis placed the genus in the tribe Tephrocacteae.¹

Species of the genus Pterocactus according to Plants of the World Online As of January 2023:²

Image	Scientific name	Distribution
	Pterocactus araucanus Castell.	Argentina
	Pterocactus australis (F.A.C.Weber) Backeb.	Argentina, Chile
	Pterocactus fischeri Britton & Rose	Argentina
	Pterocactus gonjianii R.Kiesling	Argentina (San Juan).
	Pterocactus hickenii Britton & Rose	Argentina, Chile
	Pterocactus megliolii R.Kiesling	Argentina (San Juan)
	Pterocactus neuquensis R.Kiesling, E.Sarnes & N.Sarnes	Argentina (Neuquén)
	Pterocactus reticulatus R.Kiesling	Argentina (San Juan, Mendoza)
	Pterocactus tuberosus (Pfeiff.) Britton & Rose	Argentina
	Pterocactus valentini Speg.	Argentina