Turbinicarpus polaskii
(Syn: Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus subsp. schwarzii)

Tiny stem with broad fat tubercles and white woolly tops.

Description: Tiny solitary cactus.
Stem: Flattened globose, pale grey-green, olive green or purplish-tan in full sun, 2 cm tall, 3.5-5 cm in diameter.
Root: tap root
Tubercles: Broad, flattened, 4-angled.
Areoles: White and woolly.
Spines: 1 to 3 spongy spines, one up to 2 cm
Flowers: White in summer (July to September in habitat), 2.5 cm long, 4 cm across, white or pinkish stigmas.
 

T. polaskii Refugio

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):

• T. schmiedicheanus ssp. schmiedicheanus
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. andersonii
  T. schmiedickeanus ssp. dickisoniae
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. gracilis
• T. schmiedicheanus ssp. gracilis forma cristata
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. klinkerianus
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. klinkerianus "lilinkeuiduus"
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. polaskii
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. schwarzii
  and possibly:
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. bonatzii
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. flaviflorus
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. flaviflorus form brevispina
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. macrochele
• T. schmiedickeanus ssp. rioverdensis
• T. schmiedickeanus forma variegata
• T. rioverdensis ssp. paoli (= T. longispinus)
• T. sp. negrita (=klinkerianus?)

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Turbinicarpus polaskii Backeb., nom. inval. [ = Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus subsp. schwarzii]

Synonyms: Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanus ssp. macrochele var. polaskii.

Origin:  Mexico (Eastern San Luis Potosí: near La Bonita)

Turbinicarpus polaskii La Bonita

Turbinicarpus polaskii Westlich La Bonita