Publication: Gymnocalycium 16(3): 529 (528; Abb. 15-19). 2003 [Aug 2003]
Description
Gymnocalycium griseo-pallidum is a small cactus barely rising above ground level, solitary or branching basally in cultivation to form clusters. It differs from Gymnocalycium anisitsii for the paler greyish-green, sharply ribbed stem (usually green and reddish-brown in anisitsii) and for the greenish-white flowers.
Roots: Fibrous roots.
Stem: Spherical-depressed to short cylindrical, up to 10 cm tall, 8-15 cm in diameter, pale greyish-green, pale bluish-green, or pale-brownish-green often with subtle horizontal clear strips.
Ribs: About 10-11, acute, obscurely notched into chin-shape protrusions.
Radial spines: 5-8 up to 12 mm (or more) long, straight or slightly tortuous, short, nearly useless in terms of defence. Young spine are pastel-white or yellowish with a darker tip, later become pale-grey.
Central spines: Usually absent.
Flowers: From the centre, narrow, funnelform, about 6 cm long. External tepals greenish whit reddish margins, internal tepals greenish-white often suffused with pink, spreading. Scales on the ovary and flower tube small, pink and scattered.
Blooming season: It produces flowers almost continuously during the year.
Fruits: Oblong, 2,5 cm long, 6 mm in diameter, reddish at maturity.
Origin and Habitat
Santa Cruz (Salinas de San Jose, Cordillera ) Bolivia.
Altitude: 300-400 metres above sea level.
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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N. L. Britton, J. N. Rose “The Cactaceae. Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family.” Volume 4, The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
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Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985
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E. W Putnam “GYMNOCALYCIUMS: A Guide for Growers” National Cactus & Succulent Society. Handbook No. 5. 1978
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