Eriosyce napina subs. challensis
Cactus & Co. 9(2): 111 (104-114; photos). 2005
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Eriosyce napina subs. challensis
Author
I.Schaub & Keim
Chinese genus
极光球属
Chinese name
-
Accepted
DescriptionEdit description
Central Spines
None.
Seeds
1 mm in diameter, dark brown.
Description
Eriosyce napinaSN|2370]]SN|2370]] ssp. challensis (Thelocephala) is a marvellous tiny cactus similar to Eriosyce napinaSN|2370]]SN|2370]] var. lembckei but with larger tubers and (maybe) larger spines. It appears white due to its very woolly areoles and addpressed spines that make it looks like an hairy Epithelantha. It is believed to be one of the most beautiful Eriosyce.
Roots
It has a very large fleshy but firm taproot up to 20 cm long and 20-30 mm in diameter and sometimes branched with few shallow roots near the crown.
Tubercles
Less than 1 mm high and very closely arranged in a double spiral pattern.
Flowers
1 to 3 at stems apex, diurnal, funnel-shaped, 25-30 mm long and 20 mm in diameter. Tepals 15 mm long and 3-4 mm wide, pale yellow with a reddish midrib. Pericarpel entirely covered with brown wool. Style, reddish, 18- 20 mm long. Stigma, reddish with 7-10 lobes 3-4 mm long. Stamens 7-15 mm long with yellow anthers.
Blooming Season
Late spring. It blooms already when young, synchronised flowering of the whole plants takes place over one or two days, and flowers remain open for about three or four days.
Stem
Solitary or clustered, globose to elongated eventually becoming somewhat cylindrical in cultivation with a constriction between the stem and the root, 15-30 mm diameter, 40 mm high with a depressed woolly apex extending laterally.
Radial Spines
11-14, about 1 mm long, pectinate, curved towards the body, cream coloured some smaller and orange becoming greys-white as they ages.
Fruits
Rounded to elongate 9-11 mm in diameter and 10-20 mm in length. Completely covered in white wool and silk, and the wool near the base is beige to white. It dehisces (splits open) by a basal pore.
Areoles
Round, not depressed, 1 mm in diameter, younger ones with white wool at the apex