Publication: “forma cristata”
Description
This is the crested clone of Gymnocalycium gibbosum. It is one of the more fascinating crested gymnocalyciums sought after by cactus impassioned. This cultivar is stable and remain crested.
The standard species is a low growing solitary cactus.
Stem: Deep glaucous-green, dark olive green, brown or grey-black, discoidal that became elonged with time 10-25 cm tall, up to 12 cm in diameter, the apex is slightly woolly.
Ribs: 10-16 straight, divided in well distinct angular ribs.
Areoles: Whitish-grey, elonged.
Radial spines: 5-7 (-9) 20-25 mm long slightly bent against the plants body, clear brown with a darker base when young, that became whitish-grey with a black base as they age.
Central spines: 0-2 very similar to the radials.
Flowers: Infundibuliform in the nearest periphery just around the apex 45-60 mm long, 60-65 in diameter. Tepals ivory white with a brownish mid rib or occasionally reddish, throat greenish with a basal reddish area. Style white-greenish, stigma white. Anthers cream coloured.
Fruits: Globose or fusiform, 20-40 mm long green with white bordered scales.
Remarks: Seems to be a pretty variable plant.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Summer grower and pretty easy, water regularly in summer, keep rather dry in winter, but can handle excessive water to few water, best for half-shade but grow well in full sun and full shade too (but in full sun turns an uneven brownish red colour).
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to -12C.
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings.
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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