Turbinicarpus viereckii My rare Cactus Plant

Also Known As

• Echinocactus viereckii
• Gymnocactus aff. viereckii
• Gymnocactus viereckii
• Neolloydia viereckii
• Pediocactus viereckii
• Thelocactus viereckii

Scientific name: Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm) V. John & Ríha
Place of publication: (Monatsschrift der DKG 3: 175, 1931), Kaktusy 19:22. 1983

Origin: Mexico (Tamau Lipas) Tamaulipas area of Mexico and found at an altitude of around 2500 ft. 

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix I

Habitat: this species is found at an altitude of 750-850m of altitude, they live in cracks in rocks, on cliff faces, so they get very little nutrients, and grow nearly free of organic matter. The only naturally occurring organic matter will be leaves blown around and getting caught on the spines.

Synonyms: Gymnocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Backeb. Thelocactus viereckii  (Werderm.) Bravovar.  Neolloydia viereckii  (Werderm.) F. M. Knuth; Pediocactus viereckii

Description: Like most Turbinicarpus species, this is a handsome cactus with beautiful spine patterns, it is recognizable without problems for the dark black spines and areoles with white wool (when young), soon becoming bare

 Growing solitary or occasionally clustering they live in cracks in rocks, on cliff faces, getting very little nutrients, and growing nearly free of organic matter. The only naturally occurring organic matter will be leaves blown around and getting caught on the spines. G. viereckii will grow to about 7" in height and 3" in width, it's a small plant but the flowers are a bright magenta or pink with a greenish-white throat making up for the size.Other names that have been given this variety is Thelocactus viereckii, Pediocactus viereckii, Neolloydia viereckii, and Echinocactus viereckii.

Stem:. Dull green, globular to slightly cylindrical 3-5 (-12cm) tall, 3-5(-7) cm in diameter apex with abundant white wool.

Roots: Swollen bundled.

Ribs: 15 to 18 ribs divided in tubercles.

Radial spines: 17 to 22 rigid white translucent, some with brown tips, 0.8-1.3 cm long.

Central spine(s): 3 to 5 white with black tips in a cross like formation, 2-4 cm long. 

Flowers: Bright magenta or pink with greenish-white throat and darker mid-ribs, 1.5-2.5 cm long, 12-20 mm broad .

Fruit:. Greenish-brown.

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to -4°C for a short period.

Minimum Temperature: 8 °C, 46.4 F

Watering Needs: Water sparingly during the growing season as they are sensitive to over watering.

Cultivation: This species is easy to cultivate in a very open mineral mix, (lots of pumice). Requires full sun or Light shade and careful watering to keep plant compact and maintain strong spines. Water sparingly during the growing season as they are sensitive to over watering. Keep dry in winter. Hardy to -4°C for a short period.

Bibliography: Anderson, E. F. 1986. A revision of the genus Neolloydia. Bradleya 4:15. [= Neolloydia viereckii (Werderm.) F. M. Knuth].

Anderson, E. F. 2001. The cactus family. (Cact Fam)

Bravo-Hollis, H. & H. Sánchez-Mejorada. Las Cactáceas de México, vol. 1 - 1978, vols. 2,3 - 1991 (Cact Mex) [= Thelocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Bravo].

Hunt, D. 1992. CITES Cactaceae checklist. (CITES Cact L)