Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Matucana oreodoxa
(Ritter) Slaba
Kaktusy (Brno) 22:128. 1986
Origin: Peru (Valley of the Rio Puchca, Ancash,
at
an elevation of about 1800-3000 m).
Type: Ancash, mountains north of Pushea,
Ritter 1311
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Synonyms:
- Borzicactus oreodoxus (Ritt.) Donald 1971
- Eomatucana oreodoxa Ritter
In: Kakteen Sukk. 16:230. 1965
- Submatucana oreodoxa
- Neomatucana oreodoxa
-
Matucana eriodisca n.n.
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Description: Small species with
usually solitary, or slowly branching from the
base. For its particular shape it vaguely remembers of Lophophora.
Stem: Flattened globose to short columnar, grass green, dull
grey-green to dark green, 8-15 cm tall, up to 8 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 7-12, Broad, flattened. Forming round tubercles, with
transverse grooves.
Root: Large taproot.
Radial spines: 4--10, 10-30 mm long, cream coloured, brownish to
blackish, becoming grey, flexible, straight or somewhat curved. They are
fragile and detach easily, so the older basal parts of the stem are
often naked.
Central spines: None or sometime 1 or 2, 15-40 mm long.
Flowers: Slender,
infundibuliform, radially symmetrical, bright orange-red, 8-10 cm
long and 3-5.5 cm in diameter.
Fruit: Oval, pale green, about 8 mm in diameter.
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Cultivation: Matucana oreodoxa
grow slowly in their natural habitats, but in greenhouses or grafted
they grow quickly, with tissues that are less firm.
They benefit from a
good light but not severe sunlight.
Grow in rich, porous soil and let their soil dry out between waterings.
They need good drainage.
Repot in the spring when their roots become cramped. Generally, they
should be repotted every other year, in order to provide fresh soil.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers.
After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Propagation: Seeds. |