Publication: Kaktusy (Brno) 40(3): 85 (-91; figs.). 2004
Description
Small cactus, usually solitary.
Stem: Up to 8 cm in diameter, firm, dark glaucous green, cylindrical in juvenile seedlings that gradually enlarges becoming flattened globose or disoidal when adult.
Rootstock: The basal underground part of the stem merges with the root forming a thick conical or turnip-like rootstock. Almost cylindrical at the young stage, later enlarged and branched
Areoles: Round to elongated, 3-5 x 2 mm
Tubercles: 4 mm wide and 7 mm tall, conical, densely packaged in into 8, 13 or 21 spiral rows.
Central spines: 0-1 in mature plants, 0-20 mm long, often lacking in juvenile phase, coming from the upper part of the areole, pale yellowish-brown when young, greyish brown to greyish black later.
Radial spines: 20 to 31, radiate or slightly pectinate when young, white to hyaline, 4-6 mm long.
Flower: Funnel shaped 27-33 mm in diameter, 30 mm tall, inner tepals in 2-3 circles, broadly lanceolate, acute, white with prominent violet mid-stripe.
Fruit: Dry.
Seeds: Tiny and black.
Origin and Habitat
Nuevo León (Northeast Mexico)
Type Locality: El Salitre, 760m, a valley north of Monterrey on the way to Bustamante.
Cultivation and Propagation
Robust species to cultivate. It has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult and rot if over-watered. The fact that the plant retracts into the soil between watering, is perfectly natural and doesn’t cause any damage. 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.
Exposures: Full sun where it obtains a flat natural looking or part sun.
Reproduction: From seed, since the plant rarely produces plantlets, or grafted.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Kaktusy 40(3), 85-92, 2004 Turbi-Now 15: 28, 2004
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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
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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