Publication: Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 49(4): 167. 1977
Description
Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus subs. gracilis much better known under its old name, Turbinicarpus gracilis is a small cactus species that typically will grow solitary but may on occasion cluster. It is very similar to Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus ssp. dickisoniae the closest variety from which differ in type and number of spines.
Stem: The stem is globular and depressed, up to 30mm high 30-40mm wide grey-green (but in cultivated plants it can be more elongated and wide).
Tubercles: round. ca. 7 mm long (compared to the 3-5 mm long tubercles of ssp. dickisoniae), ca. 1,8 mm in diameter at tip, 3-5 mm broad at base, slender, nearly terete, somewhat angled, bright greyish green;
Central spines: Thin and papyraceous ca. 18-23 mm long, 1 mm wide, grey, erect but flexible and curved;
Radials spines: few short, 2 mm long, white deflexed in lower portion of areole, perpendicular to axis of tubercle; occasionally present also in adult specimens but deciduous.
Flower: Slender funnelshaped, 2 cm long, 1,5 cm in diameter; outer perianth segments white with pale greenish brown to narrow greenish or cerise mid-line; inner segments pure white;
Fruit: Tan, globose, dehiscent along longitudinal split.
Seeds: Small, black, finely tuberculate, ca. 1 mm long, 0,5 mm in diameter.
Origin and Habitat
Aramberi, Southern Nuevo León, México.
Altitude: 1000-1300 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It grows in rocky areas on fairly steep hillsides.
Cultivation and Propagation
It’s a fairly easy species to cultivate. 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. 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.
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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