Matucana aurantiaca subs. polzii
Cactaceae Syst. Init. 14: 17. 2002 [Oct 2002]
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Matucana aurantiaca subs. polzii
Author
(Diers, Donald & Zecher) Mottram
Chinese genus
白仙玉属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Central Spines
1-3, to 25(-30) mm long.
Description
Matucana aurantiacaSN|20617]]SN|3774]] subs. polzii (Matucana polziiSN|3774]]SN|20617]]) is a relatively small clustering cactus with a strange squat stems up to 5 cm tall, up to 8-10 cm in diameter. It offsets strongly, with even small heads covered with numerous pups reaching only 2-5 cm across. In age forms huge cushion up to 30-40 cm in diameter whit hundreds of heads. The spines are short, pectinate and widely spaced
Roots
Fibrous, not taproots.
Note
This member of the Cactaceae family was given this name by Frank Polz (fl. 1986), German cactus and succulent plant enthusiast in München.
Flowers
Funnel-shaped, slightly curved, dark carmine red to orange, 5-7 cm long, 3.5-5 cm in diameter.
Spines
The spines are tiny, flexible, pectinate and widely spaced whitish, to brownish-yellow to black on tips, later grey, sometimes slightly curved.
Ribs
9-16, flat, rounded, with transverse grooves, usually straight or slightly twisted.
Stem
Spherical more or less flattened, grass-green, to 5 cm high and 8 cm in diameter branching basally and from the sides. Side shoots often very numerous and smaller.
Radial Spines
6-12(-13), 6-18(-20) mm long, mostly yellowish-white.
Fruits
Oval, purplish brown, 5-7 mm in diameter.
Areoles
Oval, up to 8 mm in length and 3 mm in width, covered with pale cream to white hairs, over time grey and bare.