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Epithelantha bokei SB416 Brewster Co TX (The Button cactus) appears completely white and smooth to the
touch. The flowers are very delicate,
and pale pink or yellowish. This is
considered by many to be the best Epithelantha of all.
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Morphology (Identifying
Characteristics):
Habit:
It is a is a slow-growing mini cactus (usually solitary), with only
2-3 cm of stem height, covered so densely with closely appressed
tiny white spines that the plants appear
to be completely white and smooth to
the touch.
Flower: Flowers are pale pink or yellowish, very
delicate, appearing in July.
Fruit:
Fruits are smooth,
approximately 1 cm long, bright red, edible and enjoyed by birds.
Notes:
In periods when water is available it is an almost completely rounded
cactus. In drought
periods, and during winter rest, plants shrinks and draw back down to
ground level, to conserve moisture.
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A eight year old plant... |
....the same plant one year later
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Mature specimens of E. bokei will form
annual rings of growth that give them an unequalled magic spell.
Cultivation:
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant,
in cultivation it is relatively easy, but very slow growing.
It needs a very well-drained soil.
It requires
strong sun to part sun to develop good spinal growth, and waterings
should be rather infrequent, to keep the plant compact and not become
excessively elongated or unnatural in appearance.
Frost Tolerance:
Depending on the variety, will handle -12° C (Temperature
Zone: USDA
8-11).
Assure a good
ventilation.
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It It is almost impossible to reproduce in a
photograph the
lacy pattern of the spines.
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It occasionally forms beautiful groups. |
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Propagation: It can be reproduced both by
seeds and cuttings, but it is often grafted because difficult and slow
to grow on its own roots. Older specimens shoot
tillers from under tubercles,
so they can be grafted, which is a much easier way of propagation than
sowing.
Young seedlings are tiny and they need several years to reach
adult size, and require careful watering.
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Family:
Cactaceae
(Cactus Family)
Scientific Name:
Epithelantha bokei
L. D. Benson 1969
Synonyms:
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) A. Weber ex Britt. &
Rose var. bockei
(L. Benson) Glass & Foster
Common name
(s): “Boke's button cactus",
“smooth button”, “pingpong ball cactus
Listed in CITES Appendix
II
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 Distribution: Chihuahuan Desert of South Texas, in
Brewster/Sanderson County and northern Mexico
Habitat: Grows in dense groups on rocky,
gravely soils on flat areas, raised limestone hills and ledges. |
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Etymology:
The
genus name
"Epithelantha" derives from
the Greek word “Epi)”
meaning “upon, on, at,
over”; the Greek word “thele”
meaning “nipple” referring to the tubercles, and
“anthos
)”
meaning “flower”.
(The genus name
implies:
“flowers upon the tubercles”).The
species name "bokei"
Derives from the name of
Dr. Norman H. Boke of the University of Oklahoma prof. in
Biology-Plant Science.
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(Photo & © Copyright by Massimo Giannelli Italy E-mail:
treg@wooow.it )
Spines
Flowers are pale pink or yellowish, very
delicate, appearing in July. |
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Epithelantha bokei MK 29 . 105 S of Cuatro Cienegas , Coahuila
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
