Xerophyte

Description

The Ferocactus glaucescensSN|1532]]SN|1532]] cv. Split Rock (a.k.a. forma mostruosa nuda) is a strange solitary, barrel cactus that forms a beautiful stems, that looks like an old weathered rock.

Note

Do not confuse this odd cultivar with the common Ferocactus glaucescensSN|1532]]SN|1532]] f. nudus which is a completely different cultivar that is superficially similar only when very young. The unique charm of this plant will be revealed as it ages.

Flowers

Lemon yellow, funnel-shaped, 3-4 cm in diameter. The tepals are oblong, lanceolate, silky, shining; the margins are finely fringed. Stamen, style and stigma are yellow. Stigma lobes 12-15.

Blooming Season

Late spring and summer. The flowers last a very long time. The plants start flowering when about 13 cm in diameter.

Spines

Absent.

Ribs

11 to 15 , but very irregular often fused together, suddenly broken or scratched with thin grooves.

Stem

The younger plants are very similar to the common Ferocactus glaucescensSN|1532]]SN|1532]] f. nudus with spineless globular depressed glaucous grey stems, but the epidermis of this cultivars starts soon to split open assuming the appearance of a rock surface.and in a few years the plant take on a completely different appearance. The stem slowly grows up to 55 cm in height, 50 cm in diameter and may become shortly columnar as it ages.

Fruits

White, 2 cm long with the remnants of the flowers attached.

Areoles

Light orangish or greyish, long and often fused one to each other.