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Rebutia Clumping plants with large pink
and orange flowers
from the lower stem.
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NOTE:
The following description of this species is
based on Rebutia ritter 1977
sensu stricto
(Collector's number referred here is FR 1118). But plants in circulation
under this name do not match up exactly with Ritter's description, most
noticeably in their clearly defined ribs, unlike the much less defined
ribs required by Ritter, and plants matching up to Ritter's description
have not appeared in cultivation.
But if we consider the numerous synonyms, form and variety of this very
variable
taxon (Rebutia pygmaea),
all the value of size, colour, flower and spines characteristic can
change considerably.
Description:
Very small clumping
geophytical cactus.
Stem: Individual heads
globose, later columnar, with green body
colour
Ribs: Loosely defined.
Areoles: Small, to 0.7mm long, with white wool.
Radial spines: Very thin, numbering 7 to 10, pectinate, about 2mm
long, white, red-brown at the base;
Central spines: Absent or occasionally one similar to radials.
Flowers: Intense vermilion to scarlet, stigma yellowish-white.
Roots: tap root:
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Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of Rebutia pygmaea .
(This taxon has lots of synonyms (like most Rebutia)
whit several controversial varieties and subspecies):
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family) |
Rebutia gracilispina
Original description: F. Ritter, Kakteen und andere
Sukkulenten, 28: 4; 76, 1977 / 28 (4): 76, 1977
Type specimen: FR 1118 (deposited at Utrecht).
Scientific name:
Rebutia pygmaea (Fries) Britton & Rose.
Origin:
Reported from Bolivia, Potosi, Sud Chicas, Mai Paso,
at 4,000m (10,200ft) altitude, where it is scarce.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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Synonyms:
- Rebutia gracilispina Ritter 1977
- Mediolobivia pygmaea gracilispina
- Digitorebutia gracilispina (hort.)
- Mediolobivia gracilispina (hort.)
- Digitorebutia pozri - colls. FR 1118
- Rebutia pygmaea var. gracilispina (hort.)
- Rebutia pygmaea 'gracilispina'
(Pilbeam)
- Rebutia pygmaea subsp. gracilispina
(hort.?, sensu P-M & Anderson)
- Rebutia forma pygmaea haagei orurensis ?
- Rebutia haagei gracilis ?
- Rebutia pectinata gracilis ?
- Rebutia torquata
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Cultivation: It is easy to grow and recommended for beginners.
Prefer gritty, porous mix with a pH slightly on the acidic side. Full
sun to light shade, Water regularly in summer but do not overwater (the
root system is rot prone) and allow the pot to dry out between waterings.
Keep dry in winter Hardy to -4°C it will take low temperatures when dry
and do require a winter rest period. This species will occupy a
small flower pot comfortably and remain a manageable sized house plant.
Pest and disease: This plants are subject to mealy-bug attack and
to fungus and rot problems brought about by overwatering and high
humidity.
Note: It would appear that
in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in
habitat.
Propagation: seed or offsets. |
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