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Nectar drops on a new
cladode
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Morphology (Identifying
Characteristics):
Habit:
Small
globular
segmented cactus that
cluster into small
clumps.
Stem:
“Geometric”
segments 4-5cm in diameter, clear
glaucous/blue that reddens to purple in full sun exposure. New
growing
cladodes are dark purple.
Leaves:
Very reduced,
ephemeral.
Areoles : A
caducuous white
felt is present in young areoles.
Glochids: Not present, or very reduced.
Spines:
Spineless, or with some solitary thin spines sporadically present
in the upper areoles, 2-5mm long,
appressed and turned downward.
Flower:
Light Pink-white with a darker
midstrip. Flowers last only one day.
Notes:
Slow growers, they produce only one, or a very few, new
cladodes per year. Easy to flower.
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Young cladodes |
Flower
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Cultivation:
Watering Needs:
Moderate watering during the
growing season.
keep
dry in winter.
Needs a very
drained and
mineral potting mix ,and a full sun exposure.
Propagation:
Seeds are extremely difficult to
germinate. Best reproduced from rooted
cuttings or by
grafting.
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Family:
Cactaceae
(Cactus Family) |
Scientific Name:
Tephrocactus
geometricus
(A.
Castellanos) Back.
Published
in:Kaktus-ABC 111, 1935 |
Basionym:
Opuntia geometrica A.Cast. 1934
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 Distribution:
Argentina (Catamarca) and Bolivia border
Synonyms:
● Opuntia geometrica A.Cast. 1934
● Tephrocactus alexanderi v. geometricus
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Etymology: The
genus name "Tephrocactus"
derives from the Greek adjective “tephros (τεφρος)”
meaning “ash coloured” plus the connective vowel
“o” used in botanical Latin for Greek words , and the
word “cactus” (an old genus name) (The genus name implies:
“ash coloured cactus”).
The
species name "geometricus"
derives
from
the
Latin adjective
“geometricus” meaning "geometric”
(The specific name implies:
“geometrical”)
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A
spineless plant from Villazón (Bolivia - Argentina border) |
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
