Xerophyte

Description

The standard Turbinicarpus valdezianusSN|1523]]SN|1543]] is one the smallest and slowest growing Turbinicarpus with tiny feathery spines that obscure the body of the plant, it is usually solitary but sometime form clusters of few branches. Typically half of it is underground with a big tap root.

Crested Form

The crested form is still rare in cultivation. It is covered by dense feathery white spines, spreading flat around the areoles and the apex completely concealed by the plumose spination.

Flowers

One to 5 diurnal, at plant apex, this species is found scattered in small populations in several locations and the colour of the flowers is variable ranging from pinkish white to bright pink with darker magenta or reddish-brown midveins.

Blooming Season

Early bloomer (February - March).

Spines

T. valdezianus is a pectinate-spiene species, but the the pectinate spines are not in the two neat rows as in Turbinicarpus pseudopectinatusSN|1543]]SN|1523]], the ca. 25-30 spines, are dense, feathery and white, about 0.5 mm long, spreading flat around the areoles.