Publication: Brit. Cact. Succ. J. 14(4): 202 (1996)
Description
This plant is very similar if not identical to Strombocactus disciformis the only noticeable difference is the colour of the flowers.
Habit: It is a rare geophyte, usually solitary.
Stems: The body is flattened or spherical up to 3 cm tall, 8 cm in diameter. The crown is slightly depressed and felted. The colour is blue-green with greyish tinge. It is composed of hard, spirally arranged rhomboid and imbricate tubercles, 1 to 1.8 cm high. These tubercules are flattened and almost truncated above and somewhat horny or keeled below.
Roots: Strong napiform (turnip-like).
Spines: 4 to 5, erect and dark grey at the tips and pale grey at the base, 1.2 to 2 cm long.
Flowers: Arise on the crown, measure about 3.5 cm in length and breadth bright magenta.
Blossoming time: flowers emerge early in spring and are freely produced throughout the summer, remaining open for several days.
Note: Some botanists believe that a specific rank for this taxon is not necessary.
Origin and Habitat
Mun. Xichu: Sierra Gorda, Guanajuato (Mexico, Northern America)
Habitat: This plant grows in rock crevices in nearly vertical limestone cliffs along with Turbinicarpus alonsoi
Cultivation and Propagation
This plant has the same needs of the standard S. disciformis.
Propagation: Seed, At first seedlings are very very small, they take one or two years to reach the diameter of 1 mm!!! Once they have reached 4 years old or more they are relatively easy to grow - the problem is getting them to 4 years old!
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