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T. (Lodia) mandragora is a small cactus,
still
very rare in cultivation.
Plants and seeds are seldom offered for
sale.
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Turbinicarpus
mandragora is very slow growing
and rot prone when cultivated on its own roots, this is the
reason for its rarity.
Many of the plants sold as
“mandragora” are
T. subterraneus or other species not related
to the true mandragora. The seeds of this species are very different
from that of
subterraneus
and related species (beguinii,
booleanus,
pailanus,
zaragozae).
The Seed morphology of this species is
particular and similar to Pediocactus.
Description: Solitary (may
branch if the growing tip is damaged)
Stem: Grey-green ,
4-6 cm in diameter spherical to
turbinate,
that become narrower at the
collar. It is composed of hard,
spirally arranged
rhomboid and close-set 4-angled tubercles. These tubercules are flattened and almost
truncated above, and somewhat
horny or
keeled below.
Roots: Strong tuberous roots
Central spines: 2 whitish with dark brown tips, 2 cm long;
Central spines: 12 radials, 5-8 mm long.
Flowers: White with pink midstripes, on summer days, 2 cm long, 2.5 cm in
diameter.
Fruits: without scales, that split open when ripe.
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Origin: Mexico (Coahuila: Parras, Viesca)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES Appendix I
Synonyms:
- Rapicactus mandragora,
- Neolloydia
mandragora,
- Gymnocactus mandragora,
- Turbinicarpus mandragora,
- Pediocactus mandragora,
- Napina mandragora
- Lodia mandragora
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of the
Turbinicarpus mandragora
complex
(This taxon has lots of synonyms,
with several controversial varieties and
subspecies):
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
