Publication: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 14: 7. 2002 [Oct 2002]
Description
Acharagma roseanum subsp. galeanense is a small clustering cactus with many crowded finger-like stems up to 6-10 centimetres tall, concealed by yellowish-white or rich gold spines (central spines almost indistinguishable from the radials). The flowers are cream-yellow, up to 1.5 centimetres in length and appears at the stem tip.
Derivation of specific name: ‘galeanensis’ For the occurrence near Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Habit: Mat-forming. Established plants can reach a height of 15 cm and width of 30 cm.
Stem: Pale green, cylindrical, initially erect that became prostrate up to 10 cm tall, 2-2,5 cm in diameter.
Ribs: The ribs have tubercles, with ungrooved areole.
Spines: About 30 not easily distinguished as centrals end radials, pale yellow, rich gold to dark amber coloured.
Flowers: Yellow at the stem tips, small 1 to 2 cm in diameter.
Origin and Habitat
Galeana, Nuevo León, Mexico. Acharagma roseanum subsp. galeanense is a range restricted subspecies, it habitar is very disjunct from the habitat of subsp. roseanum.
Habitat and Ecology: It grows on rocky limestone hills in xerophytic shrubland. Overgrazing of the habitat by goats is the only threat.
Cultivation and Propagation
Very slow growing. Because of the tap root they are very rot prone, so use highly gritty compost with much drainage and water regularly in summer, but do not overwater, it prefer a completely dry place during winter. An unheated greenhouse would be perfect. It can survive low temperatures (appr. -7°C). Full sun to light shade.
Propagation: Easy to propagate from seed or (rarely) cuttings if available.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Springer Science & Business Media, 29 June 2013
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Fitz Maurice, B, Sotomayor, M., Fitz Maurice, W.A., Hernández, H.M. & Smith, M. 2013. Acharagma roseanum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T152561A651256. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T152561A651256.en. Downloaded on 20 February 2017.
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D.R. Hunt: “Cactaceae Systematics Initiatives”. Number 14, 2002, page. 7.
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