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Coryphantha
longicornis (“grandis”form)
It is
a large growing and solitary or group forming cactus with woolly stem
tips.
Most of the plants after a juvenile phase with only radial spines
develop the longer central spines, giving it its characteristic sea
urchin appearance.
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Description:
C. longicornis is a large growing and solitary or group
forming cactus with woolly stem tips.
Stem: Fat squat globose to short cylindrical glossy green or dull
green, up to more than 9-20(-30) cm high and 10-15 cm broad.
Tubercles: Spirally
arranged,
conical/ovate, more or less erect, very firm, 14–17 mm wide up to
2 cm long with a narrow, bare groove
above; on
new growth the groove may show some felt.
Areoles: Woolly when young.
Axil: Bare or slightly woolly with one gland.
Central spines: 3, rigid, stiff, white to brown, often with black
tips, about 1.2-2,5 cm long. The lower one is curved and descending,
while the upper and lateral ones are shorter.
Radial spines: About 12, translucent whitish, acicular, acicular,
equal straight or curved, short, gray at tips , 5-15 mm long.
Root: Taproot
Flowers: Diurnal pure yellow,
funnel
shaped,
3 to 6,5 cm diameter.
Fruit: Yellow green 15-20 mm long,
juicy with attached flower remnants.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family) |
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Scientific name: Coryphantha
longicornis Bodeker
In: Monatsschr. Deutsch. Kakt. Ges. 3: 249 (1931)
Subgenus: Coryphantha.
Section II. A: Coryphantha.
Series II. A.c: Salinensis.
By: Dicht&Lüthy Class.
Origin:
Durango - Mexico (North
America)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common Mexican Names include:
Biznaga de Piña
Etymology: The
species name "longicornis" derives from the Latin 'longus'=
long; and Latin 'cornus'= horn; for the long curved spines
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Synonyms:
- Coryphantha
grandis L.Bremer,
In: Cact. Succ. Jour. 50 (3): 134 1978
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Note: This is a variable species
especially regarding the length of the lower central spine. The plants
with shorter central spines are sometime referred as C. grandis,
while those with longer centrals are referred as C.
longicornis. (But this classification is arbitrary and
intermediate form are commonly found either in habitat and in
cultivation)
Cultivation: In culture C. longicornis
is without problems, and regularly shows
its large yellow flowers. It does best in slight shade,
but does well in full sun too. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot
prone), and needs a very porous soil
with good drainage. It flowers quite early,
but needs about 8-12 years to reach the typical, definite outlook.
It tolerates fairly low temperatures as long as it is kept dry
(hardy to -5° C or less for short periods of time).
Propagation: Propagation is by seed.
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