|
|
|
Stems are blue-grey (glaucous)
due to a powdery
coating of wax (Pruina) |
|
|
Etymology:
The
genus name
"Acanthocalycium"
derives from the Greek words “acantha (ακαναθα)”
meaning “thorn, spine” plus the connective vowel
“o” used in botanical Latin for Greek words and
“calyx” meaning “covering; calyx” referring to
the flower buds (calyx)
bearing hair and spines.
(The genus name implies:
“spiny calyx”).
The
species
name
"glaucus" derives from
the
Greek word
“Glaucos
(
(γλαυκος
)”
meaning "bright,
gleaming; greyish, bluish-green”
( The specific name implies:
"glaucous"
a white bloom giving a bluish-greyish
appearance) |
|
|
 |
Morphology (Identifying
Characteristics):
Habit:
It is a flat
globular to shortly elongated
solitary
cactus.
Stem:
Up to 15 cm tall, 8 cm in diameter; 8-14 rounded
ribs; covered by a protective blue-grey layer of
pruina.
Spines:
Dark with a clear base, 5 to 10
radials to 2.5 cm.
Central spines absent (occasionally 1 or 2)
Flower:
Yellow or red and yellow flowers in summer, up to
6 cm long and in diameter.
Fruit:
Dark green,
globose, 2 cm in diameter.
Root: Tuberose root
Notes:
The plant described as Acanthocalycium aurantiacum, now included in
this
taxon has red flowers with orange centres.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. (seldom
produces offsets) |
Cultivation: It is a summer grower
species that offers no cultivation
difficulties. Water regularly in summer (but do not
overwater ) needs good drainage and very porous, keep rather dry in winter.
Feed with a high
potassium fertilizer in summer.
It is quite frost resistant if kept dry (hardy to -5° C)
Outside full sun or afternoon shade, inside needs bright light, and some
direct sun.
|
 |
 |
|
Advertising
|
|
|
|
Family:
Cactaceae
(Cactus Family)
Scientific Name (Basionym):
Acanthocalycium
glaucum F. Ritter 1964
Published
in: Taxon 13: 143, 1964
Distribution:
Belen, Catamarca, Argentina
|
|
The stem is coated by a blue-grey layer of
pruina making it to look like a
Copiapoa cinera. |
Synonyms:
-
Echinopsis glaucina
Friedrich & G.D. Rowley 1974
-
Echinopsis glauca
(F.Ritter) Friedrich & G.D.Rowley
-
Echinopsis aurantiaca
(Rausch) H.Friedrich & G.D.Rowley 1974
-
Acanthocalycium
aurantiacum
Rausch,
-
Acanthocalycium thionanthum
(Speg.)
Backeb. var. aurantiacum
(Rausch) Donald,
-
Acanthocalycium thionanthum
(Speg.)
Backeb. var. glaucum (F. Ritter) Donald,
-
Lobivia thionantha
(Speg.)
Britton & Rose var. aurantiaca (Rausch) Rausch
-
Lobivia thionantha
(Speg.) Britton & Rose var. glauca (F. Ritter) Rausch
|
|
|
|
Photo and © copyright by
Andrea B.
http://www.cactusfriends.com/Andrea/index.html
|
|
Cultivation and Mail Sale 
