Publication: Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 14. 1998
Description
This species typically will grow solitary but may on occasion cluster, it is very similar to Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus ssp. gracilis the closest variety from which differ in type and number of spines.
Stem: Solitary globular depressed, 30 mm high 30-40 mm wide dark greyish-green.
Tubercles: in 8 to 13 spirals, pyramidal, elongated only about 3-5 mm long compared to the 7 mm long tubercles of ssp. gracilis.
Root: Taproot.
Areoles: With long, white, wool in youth becoming bare later.
Central spines: 1-3 semi-rigid but not noticeably flattened or papery curved slightly inward or twisted grey-black, 13-22 mm long.
Radials spines: 18-24 finely acicular, rigid white 2mm long on young areoles (areole in old specimens have only central spines).
Note: No other variety of schmiedickeanus has as many radial spines nor as slender central spines.
Flowers: Apical funnel shaped white-yellow occasionally with brown midstripe, up to 2 cm long, 1,5 cm wide.
Fruits: Brown.
Origin and Habitat
Near Aramberri in the state of Nuevo Leon (Mexico). Altitude 1200m.
Cultivation and Propagation
This species is easy to cultivate but slow growing, needs care with watering to avoid abnormal growth and to keep plant compact. It is cold hardy to -4°C for a short period and do best in full sun to light shade exposures.
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
-
Davide Donati, Carlo Zanovello “Conoscere, capire, coltivare i Turbinicarpus-Rapicactus” Cactus Trentino Sudtirol, 2004
