Publication: Ashingtonia 1(10): 116, without basionym ref. 1975 Notes: (Basionym not stated)
Description
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum f. violaceum (lilac flower cactus), best known as Acanthocalycium violaceum , is one of the forms of Acanthocalycium spiniflorum which is a widespread and morphologically variable taxon. It is a globular to elongated cactus about 10-15 cm cm wide in time but will seldom offset. It is distinguished from the type species for its delightful pale-lilac flowers and ribbed body armed with dense yellow or honey-coloured spines, but most botanist agree on the fact that all the varieties described until now should all be included in the Acanthocalycium violaceum . The flowers appear most heavily in spring and summer. There are also forms with white flowers and the yellow spination can be sparse or more dense and long.
Stem: Solitary to slowly clumping, globular to elongated, 20-60 cm tall, 10-15 cm thick, pale green to dull green.
Ribs: Numerous, 15 to 20, acute, 1 to 1.5 cm high notched, at the areoles.
Areoles: 1.5 to 2 cm apart, round, whitish when young, rather large.
Spines: 10-12 (-20) per areole, dense, thin to strong, needle-like, straight or curved, more or less spreading, yellowish to honey-coloured (or pale-brown) up to about 3 cm long. Central spines 3 or 4, developing later, yellow tipped brown, up to 4 cm long.
Roots: Fibrous.
Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, erect, somewhat variable from one plant to another, mostly light liliac-violet but sometime almost white 4 cm to 7,5 cm long and long and c. 6 cm wide, and appear in a ring close to the apex during late spring and summer. Ovary and tube with pointed spinescent scales and whitish hair or wool; the inner petals of a tender violet colour, hairy at the throat.
Blooming season. Late spring to early summer. It starts blooming at around 8 cm in diameter.
Origin and Habitat
Córdoba (Patagonian Andes), in central-west Argentina.
Altitude range: 500-1400 metres above sea level.
Cultivation and Propagation
Acanthocalycium spiniflorum f. violaceum belongs to a group of very easily cultivated plants, even during winter the plant is attractive, and the stout yellow spines show up well against the dark green of the stem. The violet flower of this form is unusual in the family Cactaceae, making it a popular plant to cultivate. It is more cold tolerant than most cacti and less fussy regarding soil conditions. It is the most commonly encountered species, and perhaps the most attractive. The flowers are somewhat variable from one plant to another, sometimes being almost white, so it is advisable either to purchase a plant in flower or to grow several from seed to select a good liliac form.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species. The larger these plants are when they placed in the garden, the more likely they are to survive. They are much more vigorous in the garden if they are not allowed to remain dry for long periods during the growing season.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -12 C ° C, or less for short periods).
Exposition: Outside bright sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun, full sun is indispensable to keep plant compact with strong spines.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! This cactus does not offset easily, certainly not as a young plant; many apparently solitary plants do occasionally form offsets with age.
Notes
The feature distinguishing Acanthocalycium from its relatives is the spiny bud which gives it its name.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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William Davidson “The illustrated directory of house plants: a practical guide to growing over 500 plants for the home” Salamander, 01 November 1990
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Leo J. Chance “Cacti and Succulents for Cold Climates: 274 Outstanding Species for Challenging Conditions” Timber Press, 19 June 2012
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Bill Keen “CACTI AND SUCCULENTS: Step-by-Step to Growing Success” Crowood, 18 October 201
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Hans Hecht “Cacti & succulents” Sterling Pub. Co., 1997
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Graham Charles “Cacti and Succulents: An illustrated guide to the plants and their cultivation” Crowood, 30 April 2014
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Willy Cullmann, Erich Götz (Dozent Dr.), Gerhard Gröner “The encyclopedia of cacti” Timber Press, 1987
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Margaret Martin, Peter Chapman “A gardner’s guide to cacti and succulents: how to grow these fascinating plants in the home and greenhouse : featuring 150 species” Salamander Books, Limited, 1988
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John Borg “Cacti: a gardener’s handbook for their identification and cultivation” Blandford P., 1970
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Marshall & Bock, “Cactaceae” 1941
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Acanthocalycium violaceum in “The Spine”, Volumes 7-10, Page 49
1958
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