Acanthocalycium ferrarii

Acanthocalycium ferrarii
File:Acanthocalycium ferrarii.jpg
Kingdom	Plantae
Family	Cactaceae
Subfamily	Cactoideae
Tribe	Trichocereeae
SubTribe
Genus	Acanthocalycium
Species	Acanthocalycium ferrarii
Notes	Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015–2019).

Description

Acanthocalycium ferrarii is a solitary cactus species forming globose to short cylindrical stems, green in color, reaching up to 12 cm in diameter.

The ribs are numerous, up to 18, rounded and often swollen at the areoles. Areoles are oval and whitish. Spines are horn-colored to brown, usually straight and awl-shaped. Central spines number 1–4 and reach up to 1.5 cm in length. Radial spines number 7–9 and may reach up to 2 cm.

Flowers are showy, ranging in color from yellow to orange-red to carmine, reaching up to 5.5 cm in length and about 5 cm in diameter. Fruits are oval, up to 10 mm long and 8 mm in diameter.

Distribution

• Argentina – Tucumán Province

Species within the genus

• Acanthocalycium ferrarii
• Acanthocalycium glaucum
• Acanthocalycium klimpelianum
• Acanthocalycium spiniflorum
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum

Taxonomy

According to Joël Lodé, this species is accepted within the genus Acanthocalycium.

📚 Taxonomy note: Taxonomic placement follows the system of Joël Lodé (2015–2019).

Synonyms

The following names have been associated with this species:

• Acanthocalycium variiflorum
• Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. variiflorum

Notes

• Described by Rausch (1976).
• Shows variation in flower coloration.

Cultivation

This species is relatively easy to cultivate:

• requires well-draining mineral soil
• prefers bright light
• tolerates cooler temperatures if kept dry during winter