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Acanthocalicium (Lobivia) thionanthum
This is a very variable species, with several forms and varieties.
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Description: Usually solitary or slowly branching through basal
shoots.
There are a number of varieties of this highly variable cactus species,
but not all are universally recognized.
Stem: Spherical, over time
it becomes slightly cylindrical, growing to
a height of 12 cm or more, and a diameter of 6 to 10 cm. The epidermis
is green to dark blue grey, and become
a clear powdery-grey in the
older part of the stem (like some Copiapoa)
Ribs: About 9-15.
Areoles: At the apex of tubercles, at first are covered with
yellowish-brown felt. The flower part of the areola is elongated, while
the upper part curves around the sides of the rib, more or less in the
shape of a small shield. As the tubercles widen in the course of growth,
the areoles become elliptical and almost glabrous.
Spines: 5 to 10 radial spines and 1 to 4 central spines, they are
all more or less of the same length in a given plant (± 0,5 -3 cm.), but
this species appears to be very variable regarding the length colour and
number of spines in different populations.
They are usually black or
light brown at first, becoming grey or whitish-yellow as they age.
Flowers: Bell-shaped, 5 cm. long or less on lateral areoles, and
the segments of the perianth are sulfur- or lemon-yellow (but also
white, orange or red), They have very hairy buds,
The floral tubes have brown-white hairs /bristles and dark spine-tipped
scales.
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Acanthocalycium thionanthum P144
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Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of
plants belonging to the
Acanthocalycium (Echinopsis) thionanthum
complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms
(like many other cacti), with 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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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Acanthocalycium thionanthum (Spegazzini)
Backeberg
Origin: Argentina (Salta)
Habitat: Mountain slopes
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2. |
Synonyms:
- Echinopsis thionantha (Speg.)
Werderm.
- Lobivia thionantha (Speg.)
Britton & Rose
- Echinocactus thionanthus,
- Acanthocalycium thionanthum v.
chionanthum (Speg.) Hoss.
- Acanthocalycium chionanthum
- Echinopsis chionantha
- Echinocactus chionanthus
- Acanthocalycium catamarcense [F.
Ritter]
- Acanthocalycium brevispinum
Ritt.
- Echinopsis brevispina
- Acanthocalycium minutum
- Acanthocalycium thionanthum vminutum
- Acanthocalycium griseum
Note: This sp. is in the genus Echinopsis
now, and its accepted name is Echinopsis thionantha.
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A.
thionanthum P144
The epidermis is green to dark blue grey, and become
a clear
powdery-grey in the older part of the stem (like some Copiapoa) A full sun exposure
is indispensable to keep plant compact with strong and colourful spines.
Without sun the stems elongate, remain green and don't form the
characteristic powdery-grey
coating.
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A. chionanthum (thionanthum) P067
Spines variability |
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Cultivation: It is a summer-growing species
that offers no cultivation difficulty. Water regularly in summer (but do
not over-water). It needs good drainage and very porous soil. Keep
rather dry in winter. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
It is quite frost resistant if kept dry (hardy to -12° C). It needs a
very bright exposure. Full sun is indispensable to keep plant compact
with strong spines.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost,
offsets (if available).
One week old seedlings
Photo &
© copyright
by
Süleyman Demir Turkey
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
