|
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus
(Cerritos)
This is one of the jewels of the genus, dwarfed by its
beautiful flower.
Like all other species of Turbinicarpus, T.
pseudopectinatus is internationally protected under Appendix I of
CITES.
|
|
Description:
Solitary small geophytic cactus.
Stem: Globular dull green, 3 cm tall, 4 cm in diameter, barely
showing above the ground; apex with short white hair; spirally-arranged
tubercles
Spines: Numerous white in a comb like formation (pectinated), 1.2
mm long.
Root: Tuberose and usually bigger than the stem itself.
Flowers: One to 5 pinkish white to bright pink with darker magenta
or reddish-brown mid-veins, bloom in spring.
Fruit: small green.
|
 |
 |
|
The tuberose root system
|
Cultivation:
This species is relatively easy 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 difficult,
because it tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. Frost
Tolerance: Hardy to -4°C for a short period.
|
|
Buds on the plant apex |
Each tubercle is tipped by tight rows of white pectinate
spines nearly hiding the body. |
|
Often mistaken for a
Pelecyphora! With its small size, beautiful spination
and easy growing habit, Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus is a welcome
addition to any greenhouse.
|
|
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus.
|
|
|
Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus (Backbg.)
C. Glass & R. Foster1977
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix I
Origin: Mexico (Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon)
Habitat: It grows in grasslands and pinyon-juniper woodlands.
|
Synonym:
- Pelecyphora pseudopectinata
Backeb. 1935
- Mammillaria pseudopectinata
- Neolloydia pseudopectinata
- Pediocactus pseudopectinatus
- Thelocactus pseudopectinatus
- Normanbokea pseudopectinata,
- Pelecyphora pulcherrima Sabatini (Nom inval.) 1991
|
|
Over the years, T. pseudopectinatus has been
placed in six different genera, a process that will probably continue in
the future.
Photo &
©
copyright
by
Irwin Lightstone
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus taken in my front yard in late afternoon,
Rodenstock 75mm dx2 lens mounted on a bellows unit f5.6. Multiple images
with different focal point composited with Helicon software. Artifacts
Photoshopped.
Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatus Dr. arroyo form.
Flowers can be expected on Turbinicarpus seedlings of only 1.5 cm in diameter, while the flower is
4cm long.
 |
|
Cultivation and Mail Sale 
