Publication: Cactaceae Consensus Init. 3: 11. 1997
From llifle page Matucana purpureoalba
Origin and Habitat
Aricapampa, La Libertad, Peru.
Source: Matucana purpureoalba, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Matucana myriacantha f. roseoalba
Description
Matucana myriacantha f. roseoalba is one of the geographical form of the widespread and morphologically variable Matucana haynei. Many of its morphological and geographical variant was early classified as different independent species, but nowadays all this plant are considered part of a multiform species, where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics. Matucana myriacantha f. roseoalba is clearly part of the Matucana haynei group, and distinguishes from the type for the spectacular pink and white flowers.
Stem: Globular or slightly cylindrical approx 8 cm tall
Spines: Very numerous that cover completely the epidermis,.
Radial spines: 20-25 (or more) bristly flexible, short white or creaminess-yellow with a darker tips.
Central spines: 1-10 creamish, yellowish to pale orange-pink, stouter and acicular.
Flowers: Glossy pink and white tubular and zigomorphyc.
Blooming season: Throughout late Spring or early Summer often in several flushes over a long period.
Origin and Habitat
Peru (Cajamarca and Amazonas) at elevation above 200 m.
Cultivation and Propagation
Matucanas grow slowly in their natural habitats, but in greenhouses they grow quickly. They need a minimum temperature of 5° C, but may to survive a light frost. Direct sun is beneficial in order to get a good spine coloration.
Grow in rich, porous soil and let the soil dry out between waterings. It needs good drainage and a deep pot to accommodate its tap root
Repot in the spring when the roots become cramped. Generally, these plants should be re-potted every other year, in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need larger containers. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Propagation: Seeds.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
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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 ISBN 0953813444, 9780953813445
Source: Matucana myriacantha f. roseoalba, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
From llifle page Matucana comacephala
Description
Matucana comacephala is one of the innumerable and controversial form and variety of the variable Matucana haynei subs. myriacantha. It is a solitary globular to cylindrical cactus with cream-coloured spines that envelop the body with large pink to sometimes orange-red blossoms. Matucana haynei subs. myriacantha is quite variable and has received numerous unnecessary names of no botanical value, representing no more than local phenotypes, Matucana comacephala is one of them.
Stems: Normally solitary, spherical to shortly columar, green to grey-green, to 75 cm tall and 12 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 22-30, tuberculate.
Spines: Thick, covering the plants, white to pale yellow, bristle-like, forming erect tufts apically.
Central spines: 5 to 10, fine, bristly to needle-like 10-40 mm long.
Radial spines: 15 to 20, bristle-like,10-50 mm long.
Flowers: Slightly oblique, pink or (rarely) orange-red, 5-7 cm long, 3-4 cm across.
**Fruits:*** Egg-shaped, green, to 20 mm long and 5 mm in diameter.
Origin and Habitat
Ancash, Peru, on the eastern slope of the Cordillera Blanca.
Altitude: 2400-3500 metres above sea level.
Cultivation and Propagation
Matucana comacephala is a summer-growing species of relatively easy cultivation. This plant is adapted to dry soils and is quite susceptible to over-watering if kept in a non ventilated place.
Growth rate: Matucanas grow slowly in their natural habitats, but in greenhouses they grow more quickly.
Soil: Grow it in a rich, open, sandy-gritty cactus compost. It needs good drainage and a deep pot to accommodate its tap root.
Repotting: Repot in the spring when the roots become cramped. Generally, these plants should be re-potted every other year, in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need larger containers. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best only with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. Direct sun is also beneficial in order to get a good spine colouration.
Watering: Water sparingly and keep it completely dry during winter. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after transplanting so be extremely cautious with watering. Keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) But plants kept perfectly dry but may to survive a light frost.
Pests & diseases: These cacti may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Usually propagated from seeds (seldom produces offsets). The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
-
Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
-
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
-
David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
Source: Matucana comacephala, LLIFLE - Encyclopedia of living forms, CC-BY-SA, retrieved 2026-10-25.
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