Discocactus horstii forma variegata possess an exotic look
shared by no other cacti, and  generally attracts a lot of attention.

Scientific name:  Discocactus horstii  Buining & Brederoo
Published in Krainz Die Kakteen C VI f-1/1973

Origin:  North-west of Grao Mogol in the Serra do Barrao in Minas Gerais, Brazil at an altitude of about 1000m. The soil consists of quartzide-sand and gravel.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 1.
 

Description: Solitary globose cactus with a radially segmented body, ca. 5-8 cm in diameter. Plant height with cephalium 4 to 5 cm; ribs 12 to 20 prominent with 12 to 14 areoles per rib on plants with cephalium The colour of the epidermis is green and yellow.  Radial spines 8 to10 light coloured recurved backwards in a comb like arrangement, 2-4 mm long.

Flowers: The deliciously fragrant nocturnal blooms are 7.5 cm long, 6 cm inches in diameter . They come in profusion in summer, out of a cephalium covered by whitish to light brown wool and bristles. Fruit is white.

Cultivation: This tropical cactus prefers loves warm moist, humid conditions and mist spraying is a must in summer. It needs heat all year round and extra winter heat, minimum 10C is best. Avoid any frost. Keep cool in summer. This plant prove to be root prone if kept too cold in winter. It prefers a half sun position and possibly full afternoon shade in summer. If you can place it so that this occurs the plant will be much happier.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Discocactus horstii forma variegata.

• Discocactus horstii
• Discocactus horstii forma variegata