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Turbinicarpus andersonii
A very old specimen
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An old mature specimen |
The first flower. |
Cultivation: It’s a fairly easy and robust species to cultivate, but
very slow growing. It needs a
very well-drained soil, and requires strong sun to part sun to
keep the plant compact and low and to develop a good spinal
growth. Waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact,
and avoid its becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in
appearance. Furthermore it has a tap root, and watering
it properly is often difficult, because it tends to crack open or rot if
over-watered. Keep dry in winter, or when night temperatures
remain below 10° C. It is hardy to -4°C for a short period. Assure a
good ventilation.
Reproduction: From seed, since the plant rarely produces
plantlets, or
grafted.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus
(Boed.) Buxb. & Backeb. subsp. andersonii Mosco & Zanov.
2002
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES Appendix I
Origin: Guadalcazar in the state of San Lois
Potosi (Mexico), grows only over a range of about 3 km
Habitat: The plants grow on the southerly facing slopes of
limestone hills at an altitude of about 1000-1100m and are accompanied
by Ariocarpus retusus. It is estimated that there are less than 500
plants in habitats. The population is declining because of ongoing
removal by collectors.
Synonyms:
- Turbinicarpus andersonii
- Turbinicarpus macrochele
ssp. Andersonii
- Turbinicarpus
schmiedickeanus var panarottoi
- Turbinicarpus
schmiedickeanus ssp panarottoi
- Turbinicarpus panarottoi
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Desription:
Small usually solitary geophyitic cacti, partly underground.
Stem: Flattened globular, 25 (60)mm high 40-55mm wide dark green
or glaucous green.
Tubercles: Pyramidal.
Areoles: young areoles with white wool, older are bare.
Root: Napiform root.
Radial spines: 5-8 in juvenile plants, disappearing in adults.
Central spines: 1 (occasionally 2) yellowish curved upwards 2-3mm
long on mature areoles only.
Flowers: Funnel shaped, whitish with pinkish-magenta middle-stripe,
18-22 mm wide.
Fruits: Urn-shaped, brown, 5mm long.
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Photo
and © copyright by
Andrea
B.
A blooming specimen.
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Flowers are apical. |
Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the
Turbinicarpus schmiedicheanus aggregate:
(This taxon has lots of synonyms,
with several controversial varieties and
subspecies):
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