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Strombocactus pulcherrimus is a superb slow growing miniature
plant from Mexico.
The magenta
blooms are freely produced throughout the
summer.
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Description:
This plant is very similar if not identical to S.
disciformis the only noticeable difference is the colour of the flowers.
Habit:
It is a rare
geophytes, usually
solitary.
Stems: The body is
flattened or
spherical up to 3 cm tall, 8 cm in diameter.
The
crown is slightly
depressed and
felted. The colour is blue-green with greyish tinge.
It is composed of hard,
spirally arranged
rhomboid and
imbricate tubercles,
1 to 1.8 cm high. These tubercules are flattened and almost
truncated above and somewhat
horny or
keeled below.
Roots: Strong
napiform (turnip-like).
Spines: 4 to 5, erect and dark grey at the tips and pale grey at
the base, 1.2 to 2 cm long.
Flowers: Arise on the
crown, measure about 3.5 cm in length and breadth
bright magenta.
Blossoming time: flowers emerge early in
spring and are freely produced throughout the
summer, remaining open for several days.
Note: Some botanists believe that a specific rank for this taxon
is not necessary.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
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Scientific Name:
Strombocactus disciformis ssp. esperanzae Glass &
S.Arias
Publication : British Cactus & Succulent Journal,
Volume 14, No. 4, Decembre 1996 |
Distribution:
Mexico Xicho (Guanajuato)
Habitat:This plant grows
in rock crevices in nearly vertical
limestone cliffs along with Turbinicarpus alonsoi
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Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix I
Etymology:
S. disciformis
esperanzae has been named in honour of Missis Esperanza Benavides de
Valásquez a local functionary who helped in localize the plant in
flower. |
Synonyms:
- Strombocactus pulcherrimus J. J. Halda (Basionym)
Publication : Cactaceae etc. 3:88 1996
- Ariocarpus pulcherrimus (J. J. Halda) J. J. Halda
stat. nov.
Publication : Acta Mus. Richnov. Sect. Nat.,5(1): 37
(1998)
- Strombocactus disciformis fa. minimus Don Pedro &
Riha 1997
- Strombocactus disciformis var. esperanzae (Glass &
S. Arias) don Pedro & Riha 1997
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Cultivation: This plant has the same needs of
the standard S. disciformis.
Propagation: Seed, At first
seedlings are very very small, they take one or two years to reach
the diameter of 1 mm!!! Once they have reached 4 years old or more
they are relatively easy to grow - the problem is getting them to 4
years old!
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
strombocactus disciformis.
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