Publication: nom. prov. type/ similar to T. klinkerianus (also spelled “lilinkeuidus” )
Description
Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus subs. klinkerianus var. lilnkeuiduus (a.k.a. “lilinkeuidus” or “lilinkioides”) is a trade name used to indicate a plant of unknown origin. Plants so-named are known in cultivation in the USA and material has found its way to Europe. It is nothing else than a form of Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus subs. klinkerianus. The differences with other “klinkerianus” are in reality very minimal (if none) and most botanist agree on the fact that “lilnkeuiduus” should be included in the “klinkerianus”, and the two plants are not readily distinguishable, if not for the label.
Habit: It is a small disk-shaped solitary or slowly clumping cactus, dichotomy also observed.
Stem: Globular depressed, 30-50 mm high, 35-40 mm wide, pale grey to greenish-brown, apex with some white wool.
Root: Taproot.
Tubercles: 1 cm broad and 6 mm high, pyramidal, angular and somewhat keeled, rhomboid at the base, arranged in flat spirals.
Areoles: on the tip of the tubercle, with a little wool, soon becoming bare.
Spines: 2-3, the lower one longer, up to 1 cm, the 2 upper ones only on young areoles, flattened below, curved towards the apex, grey-brown with dark tip, newly emerged centrals blackish brown, corky, rather soft, with transverse fissures. Juvenile radial spines are feathery and very characteristic.
Flowers: Apical, funnel shaped, inside ivory, outside with darker brown (or magenta) midribs 14-25mm wide. This plant is capable of blooming when it is little larger than 1 cm in diameter.
Blooming season: Summer (May-October) flowering.
Fruits: Green-brown with a woolly top.
Origin and Habitat
Unknown origin (more likely, Guadalcazar in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico). Plants so-named are known in cultivation in the USA and material has found its way to Europe.
Cultivation and Propagation
It’s a fairly easy and robust species to cultivate, but very slow growing. It needs a very well-drained soil, and requires strong sun to part sun to keep the plant compact and low and to develop a good spinal growth. Waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact, and avoid its becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Furthermore it has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult, because it tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. 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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Davide Donati, Carlo Zanovello “Conoscere, capire, coltivare i Turbinicarpus-Rapicactus” Cactus Trentino Sudtirol, 2004
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