Ariocarpus hybrid lloydii x retusus
Ariocarpus hybrid lloydii x retusus
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Ariocarpus hybrid lloydii x retusus
Author
hort.
Chinese genus
岩牡丹属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Habit
It is a geophyte plant that produces a small star-shaped rosette of rough fleshy tubercles.
Description
It is a small slow growing solitary "living rock" cactus obtained by crossing ♀ Ariocarpus fissuratusSN|2079]]SN|2114]] var. lloydii x ♂ Ariocarpus retusus. The superb features of this rare plant are due to the intersection between the traits of the ancestors. It has inherited by Ariocarpus retususSN|2079]]SN|2079]] the triangular tubercles which are however more stocky and rounded like in Ariocarpus lloydi with slightly papillate surface. The flower are also very beautiful. This hybrid is very variable and differences among specimens may be considerable.
Roots
Each plant has a large turnip-like taproot, which lies below the soil surface and serves for water storage.
Tubercles
Imbricated, triangular, but more rounded than in Ariocarpus retususSN|2114]]SN|2079]], broad at base and usually acute at the apexes, flattened to convex adaxially, greenish-brown, greyish-green, yellowish-green or olive-green, irregularly papillose (or are only weakly fissured) in the surface which form transversal ledges and irregularly warty, usually as long as wide (to 3-4 cm long), and with the edges more or less acute.
Flowers
These plants have a woolly crown, from which emerge white to pink flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, 2 times wider than long when fully expanded. Flowers last for 3 to 4 days.
Blooming Season
October, November.
Spines
It have no spines.
Stem
Subglobose, flattened on top, 5-10 cm high, that grows extremely slowly, to 10-15 (or more) cm in diameter. The stem is usually solitary, rarely giving rise to side shoots from old areoles.
Fruits
Not seen.
Areoles
Apical or sub-apical only in young specimens.