Xerophyte

Description

This is 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, ranging from pure white to very pale pink with pink midveins. Stamen yellow. Stigma white.

The population from Matehuala (a.k.a. Turbinicarpus valdezianusSN|1523]]SN|1543]] var. albiflorus) is characterized by pure white flowers, yellow stamen and white stigma.

Blooming Season

Early bloomer (February - March).

Spines

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