Accepted Scientific Name: Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. bozsingianum (Schütz) Amerh. & H.Till
Gymnocalycium 19(3): 675. 2006 [Aug 2006]
Gymnocalycium castellanosii var. bozsingianum (Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. bozsingianum) Photo by: Carolina González
Origin and Habitat: This taxon is endemic to the Sierra de Malanzán near the town of Chepes Viejo, in the province of La Rioja, Argentina,
Altitude range: 600-850 metres above sea level.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Gymnocalycium castellanosii
Description: Initially described as good species on its own in 1977 by Schütz, Gymnocalycium bozsingianum was then reduced to the subspecies rank of Gymnocalycium castellanosii ssp castellanosii by Amerhauser and Till, later J. Piltz passed it to the rank of variety.
Derivation of specific name: The specific name honours the Austrian cactophile, F. Bozsing of Salzburg.
Distinguishing characteristics: It is characterized by a dull grey green epidermis, a dozen of rounded ribs with low tubercles, separated from each other by small furrows, usually 5 needle-like radial spines, mostly 3 to 20 mm in length, and rarely a central spine.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Gymnocalycium castellanosii group
Gymnocalycium castellanosii Backeb.: has heavy spines bent backward, stem dull green or bluish-green with 10-12 ribs. Central spines 0-2, radials 5-7(-8). Distribution: La Rioja, San Juan and Cordoba.- Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. bozsingianum (Schütz) Amerh. & H.Till: has grey green epidermis, c. 12 rounded ribs with low tubercles, 5 needle-like radial spines3-20 mm long, 0-1 central spine. Distribution: Chepes Viejo, La Rioja, Argentina.
- Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. ferocius (Backeb. ex H.Till & Amerh.) G.J.Charles: has dark green stems, ribs deeply notched. Spines stout and thick. Centrals 1(-2), 18-20 mm long, radials 7-11, 6-22 mm long. Distribution: Agua de Ramon, Córdoba.
- Gymnocalycium ferox (Backeb.) Slaba: has ferocious thick spines (same as: Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. ferocius?). Distribution: Cordoba and La Rioja, Argentina.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
Gymnocalycium Galerie “Gymnocalycium bozsingianum (Schütz) Piltz” web <http://www.gymnocalycium.fr/bozsingianum/>
Gymnocalycium castellanosii var. bozsingianum (Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. bozsingianum) Photo by: Carolina González
Gymnocalycium castellanosii var. bozsingianum (Gymnocalycium castellanosii subs. bozsingianum) Photo by: Carolina GonzálezCultivation and Propagation: Summer-growing and pretty easy, water regularly in summer, and keep rather dry in winter. However it can handle excessive water to little water. It grows well in full sun or half sun, too (but in full sun it will form stronger spines).
Propagation: Seeds (it seldom produces offsets). Seed Collecting: Permit fruit to ripen. Fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds.
