Xerophyte

Description

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.

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

T. valdezianus is an early bloomer (February - March).

Spines

Turbinicarpus valdezianusSN|1543]]SN|1543]] is a pectinate-spines 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.

Stem

Young plants are spherical, then cylindrical with a narrower base and short spirally arranged tubercles, the apex is completely covered by the plumose spination. Typically half of it is underground with a big tap root. The plants are about 3-5 cm high and 1-2 cm in diameter.