Publication: Eriosyce (Cactac.) gen. revis. & ampl. (Succ. Pl. Res., 1) 118 (1994)
Description
Eriosyce odieri subs. glabrescens is a tiny geophyte, with a solitary spherical or flattened stem, slowly growing atop a thick, underground taproot, with a constriction between the stem and the root, eventually becoming somewhat elongated in cultivation. It distinguish from the standard Eriosyce odieri for its very short spine, however it is quite variable and short and long spined forms can exist side by side in the same population and intermediate forms occurs too. Moreover a short spined juvenile phase is often followed by a long spined adult phase of the life cycle, but some plants retain the juvenile characteristics even at an old age (Neoteny), while other start soon to produce longer adult spines.
Stem: Slow growing, up to 5-8 cm across, 4-8 cm tall, the colour of the stem is very variable from one specimen to another. It can be glaucous-blue, glossy green or dark purple with brown, olive, grey tones.
Tubercles: Larger than ssp. napina.
Areoles: Grey.
Radial spines: Variable, from very short and thin or almost absent (subsp. glabrescens), to black, recurved, and strong (subs. odieri).
Central spines: None or one, strongly bent upward.
Roots: Forms a tuberous root system with (usually) a very large carrot-like root
Flowers: Approx 3,5 cm long, 4-6 cm in diameter, pale yellowish-red to dull pink with a silky shine, buds densely hairy with brown wool.
Fruits: Large, red, clavate, wrapped in white wool.
Blooming season: Flowers already when young, synchronised flowering of the whole plants takes place over one or two days, and they remain open for about three or four days.
Blossoming time: late spring.
Origin and Habitat
From coastal Chile (Region III Atacama) in the Huasco valley (Atacama Desert)
Habitat: It grows in one of the most arid areas in the world, among rocky crags and sand dunes in sandy-clayey soil in a vegetable formation called “Costal desert of Huasco,” a typical “desertic mattoral” that is just spectacular and impressive when it displays the phenomenon of the “flowering desert”.
Altitude around 200 m.
Cultivation and Propagation
Watering Needs: Its thick taproot is susceptible to over-watering. Sometimes it’s grafted to avoid root rot problems.
Frost Tolerance: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C). But a plant kept perfectly dry can easily survive at winter night temperatures below 0° C.
Sun Exposure: Suited for sunny-bright exposure; but can tolerate light shade. Suited for airy exposures. It needs a deep pot and good drainage to accommodate its tap root. Keep dry in winter.
Pests & diseases: It is especially prone to rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost.
Propagation: By seeds or graft. Seeds can be sown in the spring or summer. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots.
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