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The unmistakable
short pectinated
spines.
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Description:
The typical
Sulcorebutia rauschii is a well known
miniature
clustering species, that readily forms
clumps of many
heads with characteristic short pectinate spines.
The crested form is very rare and nice..
Stem:
Up to
5 cm in width. .The stem is
covered by flat
tubercles (5mm wide) which vary in colour between dark green and
violet.
Areoles : Long
narrow with short white
felt.
Spines:
9-11 short black
radial spines, 1 to 2 mm long, pointing diagonally and downward,
completely flattened against the
tubercles, they take the characteristic form of a fishbone.
Flower:
20 - 50 mm long, 35 - 50 mm wide;
floral tube
funnel-shaped yellowish green with tan coloured
scales, tepals deep magenta with a clearer
throat.
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Green form |

Violet form |
Cultivation:
Very difficult to find high quality plants of this species in
cultivation, S. rauschii loves a very
permeable, coarse
mineral soil as well as to be strictly
kept dry throughout the
winter quiescent period since it is very
sensitive to any
moisture excesses, To prevent
rottenness it is also advisable to surround its
root neck by very rough
sand or
grit, this help a fast water
drainage and an appropriate
air circulation.
For its
sensitive roots this species is frequently
grafted to avoid root problems.
Water moderately in the
growing season, keep
dry during the
winter rest. Needs a full sun,
or half shaded exposure (light shadow my be useful in the
hottest summer days)
Propagation: Grafting since cutting root hardly.The
cause of cresting: The cause of cresting is not fully explained, biologists
disagree as to why some cacti grow in this unusual form. Some
speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of
a lightning strike or freeze damage, but whatever the stimulus, the
growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line,
which folds and undulates as the crest expands. Crested Yavia are very rare, cresting occurs naturally and can be encountered in many
other cactus species.
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Family:
Cactaceae
(Cactus
Family)
Sulcorebutia
rauschii
G. Franck 1969
Published
in: Frank G., Kakt. und and. Sukk., 20 (12): 238 - 239 (1969)
Forma
cristata
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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The violet
crested
form.

Photo of
conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
plants belonging to the Lobivia
canigueralli complex
(This
Taxon has lots of synonyms whit
several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude
of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by
populations of plants with intermediate characteristics):

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