Publication: Kaktusy (Brno) 19(1): 22 (1983) cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I.O.S.), 34: 8 (1985):. 1983
Description
Turbinicarpus horripilus, formerly known as Gymnocactus horripilus, is a small, slowly clustering, globular to roughly columnar cactus.
Stem: Bluish-green to olive-green up to 4-9 cm cm in diameter, 10-18 cm tall; Apex depressed, very woolly,
Root: Swollen bundled.
Tubercles: ± Conical, compressed at the sides, rhombic at the base 5-7 mm high.
Areoles: Oval, with much white wool, very soon becoming bare.
Radial spines:8-15 rigid, 9-11 mm long, radiating, straight or (rarely) somewhat bent, intertwined in each other white with brown tip.
Central spines: 1-2 rigid, pungent up to 3 cm long, dark brown becoming greyish white, blackish tip.
Flowers: Diurnal deep purple with whitish throat, up to 4 cm in diameter.
Blooming time: Spring and summer.
Fruits: Greenish-red becoming yellowish-brown 4-6 mm long, 3-5 mm wide.
Origin and Habitat
Turbinicarpus horripilus is endemic to Mexico (Hidalgo: Metzitlán). The extent of occurrence is less than 100 km², the species certainly occurs in less than five locations, and the population size is estimated from 1,000 to 3,000 mature individuals. There is less than 1 individual per square meter. The few subpopulations are continuing to decline due to illegal overcollecting.
Altitude range: 1200-1500 metres above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: This species grows in semi-desert scrub vegetation in rock crevices and steep slopes among calcareous rocks. In the same area it is possible to find several cactus and succulent species like: Mammillaria geminispina, Mammillaria candida, Myrtillocactus goemetrizans, Cephalocereus senilis, Stenocereus dumortieri, Opuntia durangensis, Tillandsia recurvata, Agave stricta and Agave salmiana. Illegal collecting continues to threaten this species.
Cultivation and Propagation
Cultivation: It’s a fairly easy species to cultivate and relatively fast growing. Need a very well drained soil. Requires strong sun to part sun to develop good spinal growth and waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact and not to become excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Careful watering away from the body of the plant will allow the areoles to keep their wool. keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C, it is hardy to -4°C for a short period. Assure a good ventilation.
Reproduction: From seed, since the plant rarely produces plantlets, or grafted.
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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Guadalupe Martínez, J., Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B 2013. Turbinicarpus horripilus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 August 2015.
Cultivars and forms (3)
Subspecies (1)
Varieties (1)
Forms (1)
Gallery
