Xerophyte

The genus Neolloydia was first described by Britton and Rose in "The Cactaceae" and included 7 species. Six of these were later moved into synonymy or the similar genus Turbinicarups. A second species was also added later by Backeberg. Today, two species are generally accepted, but as with any taxonomic designation, change is not only possible, but almost inevitable. Both species are found in the Chihuahuan desert of Texas and Mexico. They are primarily distinguished as short cylindrical, tuberculate, spiny plants which probably most closely resemble the genus Coryphantha in appearance. Flowers are formed near the apex, but not directly at the apex. The primary distinction of Neolloydia is the scaly pericarpel (part of the floral tube) - similar to that of Thelocactus, however, the tubercles of Neolloydia are clearly grooved and the flowers do NOT come from the spine areoles. Flowers are a purple-pink and larger than 1 inch in diameter on typical healthy plants. Both radial and central spines are present and can be easily distinguished from each other. Plants of both species do occur in cultivation, but are hardly common. Most individuals possessing these plants grew them from seed with specific intent as opposed to someone casually obtaining one at a nursery unaware of the name.