T.
flaviflorus is a very nice and rare member of this
genus, and sought by many.
The
stem is
elongated, with a thin
neck
on a large
taproot.
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Description:
Solitary or slowly clumping. It has a very distinctive form, described by
some as almost pagoda-like.
Stem: Cylindrical, grey-greenish, and coated in a whitish bloom, 2.5
cm in diameter, 5 cm tall; conical tubercles with a rhomboidal base.
Areoles: Small with white caduceus wool.
Root:
Napiform.
Spines: 4 to 6, up 30 mm long, the juvenile ones are dark-brown,
the older ones are greysh.
They are spongy, flexible and curve
upwards.
Flowers:
Infundibuliform, light yellow-green, up 2 cm in diameter.
Stylus pink with white
stigmas,
anthers yellow.
Blooming season: The flowers appear at the plant's apex, in succession
from spring to summer.
Fruit: Longly ovoidal, 10 mm long, base dark green, apex dark
brown.
Seed: Dark brown, 1
mm long.
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The flowers, from which it gets its name (from Latin flavus = yellow)
are an unusual greenish-yellow, and contrast well with the body.
Cultivation: Robust
species to cultivate.
It requires full sun and careful watering to
keep the plant compact and low. It has a tap root, and watering it properly
is often difficul,t and tends to crack open or rot if over-watered.
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A very old specimen |
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Turbinicarpus flaviflorus G.Frank & Lau
Published in:
Frank and Lau, KuaS, 30(1):6-7,
1979
Origin:
Mexico (San Luis Potosí: Santa Rita del Rucio)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix I |
Taxon
synonyms:
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T. flaviflorus is for many the favorite
Turbinicarpus to grow.
This species has
long,
corky,
flexible
spines.
Small babies at the base of the mother plant. |
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants
belonging to the Turbinicarpus schmiedicheanus aggregate:
(This taxon has lots of synonyms, with
several controversial varieties and subspecies):
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
