All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Gymnocalycium megalothele
(Syn: Gymnocalycium monvillei "megalothele" )

Gymnocalycium megalothele
 

Description: G. megalothele is a (usually) solitary geophytic cactus with great white double flowers and a (usually) five ribbed appearance with  yellow spines.
Stem: Flattened or globular, grey-green to olive green, 5-6 cm in diameter, up to 5 cm  tall, but in cultivation it can become 7-8 cm high (or more) over the years.
Ribs: 5-7
Radial spines: Stout 5-7 up to 12, but usually less in young plants, flattened against the body.
Central spines: Usually absent, or 1 erected one.
Flowers: Are some of the largest in this genus, often growing larger than the plant!, 6 up to 7 cm long and wide, pure white and double petaled. Self-fertile!
Fruit: Green.
 

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Gymnocalycium megalothele

Accepted Scientific name:  Gymnocalycium monvillei

Origin:  Argentina (San Luis)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

The second distinctive characteristic of G. megalothele is that it is self-fertile and it produce easily fruit without the need of cross pollination.

Cultivation: It is a summer-growing species very easy to grow, these plants offer no cultivation difficulties.  Watering Needs: Moderate to copious in summer (but do not over-water), keep rather dry in winter.
Frost Tolerance: Hardy as low as -5° C (or less) if kept dry.
Cultural Practices: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer  in summer.
Sun Exposure: Light shade.

Propagation: Seeds (seldom produces offsets).

Photo of of plants belonging to the Gymnocalycium monvillei complex (This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other gymnocalycium) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate

• Gymnocalycium monvillei
• Gymnocalycium achirasense (G. monvillei ssp. achirasense )
• Gymnocalycium achirasense var. orientale (G. monvillei ssp. achirasense v. orientale )
• Gymnocalycium horrididpinus (G. monvillei ssp. horridispinum )
• Gymnocalycium megalothele (G. monvillei)

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.