Publication: Cact. Suc. Mex. 11: 9, fig. 4, 5. 1966
Description
Solitary and very slow growing species.
Stem: At first globular then semi-cylindrical, 40 cm diameter, 60 cm tall. Epidermis is grey-green or purple-bluish (in full sun).
Spines: Young spines at the plant apex are red or yellow. But all the spines as they ages become grey with a darker tip (almost black).
Radial spines: 7-8.
Central spines: 1 stronger and straight.
Flowers: Pale yellow
Remarks: In cultivation it is possible to find two distinct form called “RED FORM” and “YELLOW FORM”. The yellow type form has yellow young spines and it is also greener in colour, while the red form (with red young spines) tend to have a redder epidermis (especially in winter). This 2 forms are not cultivars but simply selected plants raised from controlled pollination from naturally yellow and red specimens. Natural populations comprises a mix of red, yellow and intermediate spines colours.
Origin and Habitat
Mexico. Endemic to a restricted area in the lower part of the river Balsas between Michoacan and Guerrero. Around the hydroelectric dam of Infernillo.
Cultivation and Propagation
Very slow growing. Use very draining soil, water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant needs regular water) But it is necessary to avoid wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning, which can lead to scars, or even fungal infections and death.
Needs full sun. Keep dry at 10°C in winter, but it can tolerate sporadic light frost.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing.
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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Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Birkhäuser 2004.
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