Description
Epithelantha micromeris v. texensis, is an unpublished catalogue name (nomen nudum) used by some seeds collectors and succulent traders to indicate the naturally occurring Texan form of Epithelantha micromeris. It is very similar to the type species and not readily distinguishable, if not for the geographical provenance. It is another little white beauty woth very small radial spines, combed and projected toward the apex and all spring produces many tiny cream/pink flower. This taxon is self-fertile. It produces viable seeds even without extra pollination.
Habit: It is a miniature globose cactus, erect, unbranched or in small clumps, not deep-seated in substrate, appearing ashy grey and relatively rough in general aspect.
Stem: Unsegmented, mostly spheric or obovoidal, rarely cylindric, often flat-topped with a depressed centre, about 5 cm tall and 4 cm in diameter, occasionally more; surface completely obscured by spines.
Tubercles: Numerous, not confluent into ribs, hemispheric or short cylindric, very small, ca. 1-3 mm; arranged in tight spirals around the plant.
Areoles: Small at tips of tubercles, 1 mm long, nearly circular, elliptic when distended by flower or fruit, slightly woolly when young, copiously woolly only at sexually mature stem apex; areolar glands absent;
Spines: Approx. 20-30 white to ashy grey very small (2-5 mm long), appressed on sides of stems, combed, straight, terete, slender, innocuous, in 1-3 superimposed series except for a longer (4-12 mm) and erect adaxial tuft of spines projected toward the apex, on sexually mature stem apex. Spine clusters at the sides of stem 4-5(-7) mm in diameter. Smooth or microscopically roughened by break-up of epidermis, not distinguishable as radial and central spines. In fully adult plants, the distal portions of the longest spines are worn, leaving the apex of the plant covered with short, innocuous spines.
Roots: Diffuse.
Flower: Inconspicuous, creamy-pink to pink, funnelform diurnal, borne at adaxial margins of spine clusters in the plant top. Only partly opened just distal portion visible, as they barely stick out above the wool obscured by longer spines at stem apex.
Blooming season: Flowers late winter-early spring .
Fruits: Indehiscent, bright red, thin narrowly cylindric, 3-20 × 2-3(-5) mm, weakly succulent, soon drying and papery, smooth, spineless; pulp absent; floral remnant deciduous. Fruiting late spring-early summer (Apr-Jun) and persisting several months. Its fruit are known in mexico as “chilitos.”
**Seeds:*** Blackish, obliquely hemispheric reticulated in 0,5 mm diameter.
Origin and Habitat
Texas, USA.
Cultivation and Propagation
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant, in cultivation it is relatively easy. It needs a particularly well-draining soil mix (rot prone). Water sparingly.
Frost Tolerance: Depending on the variety, will handle -12° C (Temperature Zone: USDA 8-11)
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Propagation: Seeds, offsets.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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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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Sean Hogan “Flora: a gardener’s encyclopedia” Volume 1 Timber Press (Portland, Or.) 2003
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Cactus and Succulent Journal (US) 50: 186, f 5 1978
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Hiroshi Hirao “Colour encyclopaedia of cacti” Japan 1979 (Japanese language and script)