Publication: Kaktusy (Brno) 19(1): 22, 1983; cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I.O.S.) 34: 8 (1985):. 1983
Description
Usually solitary cactus almost completely concealed by spines and wool.
Stem: Globular depressed, 40-160 mm high, 70-200 mm wide, yellowish-green with a very woolly apex.
Ribs: 15-15 tubercled.
Tubercles: Conical, well-developed, 3-8mm high.
Areoles: Oblong, at first very woolly then almost naked.
Radials spines: 16-20 radiating, partially pectinated, straight, whitish 2-10 mm long. The young spines have a yellow base, a white median zone and a dark brown tip, then they become white and translucent.
Central spines: 1 curved upwards, at first black-bluish that becomes greyish-white with darker tip 7-20 mm long.
Flowers: White with a greenish base, 10-18 mm long, generally 30 mm wide but can be up to 70 mm wide.
Fruit: Dry, dehising from a lateral fissure.
Seeds: Black.
Origin and Habitat
Mexico (Tamaulipas) It grows near Tula San Luis de Potosi, Rancho el Vergel. The wild population is less than 250 individuals confined to a single location less than 1 km (100x200 m), where it continues to decline as a result of illegal collecting.
Cultivation and Propagation
This species is relatively easy to cultivate. Requires full sun and careful watering to keep plant compact and low. It has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult and tends to crack open or rot if over-watered.
Propagation: It can be reproduced by seeds. Young seedlings are tiny and they need several years to reach adult size, and require very careful watering.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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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
Cultivars and forms (1)
Forms (1)
Gallery
