Ubelmannia pectinifera (variegated form).
 

Description: Solitary cactus 50(-80)cm tall.
Stem: Although usually globular or slightly elongated with age.  It is colourful dark/green to reddish-green with yellow or orange  variegated part.
Ribs: 15 to 18 vertical and prominent.
Areoles: Set closely to form an almost continuous felty line down the ribs sides.
Spines: Dark brown to black closely set neatly arranged straight and give a comb-like effect.
Flowers: Diurnal, funnel-shaped greenish yellow. They are 15 mm long, 12 mm in diameter.
Blooming season: Flowers come sporadically from Early Summer to Late Summer
 

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Uebelmannia pectinifera 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):

• Uebelmannia pectinifera
• Uebelmannia pectinifera forma variegata
• Uebelmannia flavispina (U. pectinifera subsp. flavispina )
• Uebelmannia flavispina forma cristata
• Uebelmannia multicostata (U. pectinifera)
• Uebelmannia pseudopectinifera (U. pectinifera )

Scientific name:  Uebelmannia pectinifera Buining 1967

Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix ?.

This is one of the most striking and recognisable cactus and most people seem to notice it before all others in the green-house.

Cultivation: This tropical cactus prefers loves warm moist, humid conditions and mist spraying is a must in summer. Water regularly during the growing season and use a very draining mineral potting substrate. At the onset of winter, do not water. Uebelmannias need heat all year round and extra winter heat, minimum 10C is best. Avoid any frost. Keep cool in summer.  It prefers a half-sun position and possibly afternoon shade in summer. If you can place it so that this occurs the plant will be much happier.


Propagation: Seeds, but plants are often grafted making them easier to grow, particularly through the winter.  If possible using a rootstock that is more hardy than the Uebelmannia is the ideal.