Gymnocactus viereckii

Donate now to support the LLIFLE projects.
Your support is critical to our success.

Since 4 Aug 2013

Gymnocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Backeb.
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 23: 151. 1951
Family: CACTACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) V.John & Říha
Kaktusy (Brno) 19: 22. 1983 cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I.O.S.) 34: 8 (1985):. 1983

Gymnocactus viereckii (Turbinicarpus viereckii) Photo by: Prof. Ilham Alakbarov
Like most Turbinicarpus species, this is a handsome cactus with beautiful spine patterns, it is recognizable without problems for the dark black spines and areoles with white wool (when young), soon becoming bare.

Origin and Habitat: Mexico, in the state of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León and San Luis Potosí. Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]] has a limited range (extent of occurrence about 2,000 km²) and the population consists of less than 10,000 individuals.
Altitude range: This species is found at an altitude of 750-850 metres of altitude.
Habitat: Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]] grows in semi-desert (Tamaulipan Shrubland) among calcareous rocks in cracks, on cliff faces, so they get very little nutrients, and grow nearly free of organic matter. The only naturally occurring organic matter will be leaves blown around and getting caught on the spines. Illegal collecting threatens some subpopulations.

Synonyms:

Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) V.John & Říha

Echinocactus viereckii Werderm.
Gymnocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Backeb.
Neolloydia viereckii (Werderm.) F.M.Knuth in Backeb. & F.M.Knuth
Pediocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Halda
Thelocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Bravo

See all synonyms of Turbinicarpus viereckii

back

Accepted name in llifle Database:
Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) V.John & Říha
Kaktusy (Brno) 19: 22. 1983 cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I.O.S.) 34: 8 (1985):. 1983
Synonymy: 6

Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) V.John & Říha

Echinocactus viereckii Werderm.
Gymnocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Backeb.
Neolloydia viereckii (Werderm.) F.M.Knuth in Backeb. & F.M.Knuth
Pediocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Halda
Thelocactus viereckii (Werderm.) Bravo

Accepted name in llifle Database:
Turbinicarpus viereckii subs. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Glass
Guía Identif. Cact. Amenazadas México 1: Tu/vi ssp. major (1998 publ. 1997)
Synonymy: 8

Turbinicarpus viereckii subs. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Glass

Gymnocactus viereckii subs. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Doweld
Gymnocactus viereckii var. major Glass & R.A.Foster
Neolloydia viereckii var. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) E.F.Anderson
Pediocactus viereckii var. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Halda
Thelocactus viereckii var. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Bravo
Turbinicarpus major (Glass & R.A.Foster) D.Donati
Turbinicarpus viereckii var. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) V.John & Říha

Accepted name in llifle Database:
Turbinicarpus viereckii subs. neglectus D.Donati & Zanov.
Con. Cap. Colt. Turbinicarpus – Rapicactus 184 (figs.). 2004 [29 May 2004]

back

Common Names include:
SPANISH (Español): Biznaugita

Description: Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]], more often known with its old name Gymnocactus viereckiiSN|14962]]SN|14962]], is an attractive dwarf cactus covered with characteristic glassy white and black spines with bright magenta flowers.
Habit: Usually solitary, occasionally clustering.
Stem: Dull green, globose to slightly cylindrical 3-5 (-12cm) tall, 3-5(-7) cm in diameter apex with abundant white wool.
Ribs: 15 to 18 ribs divided in tubercles.
Tubercles: 6 mm long rhomboidal conical.
Central spines: 3 to 5 white with black tips in a cross like formation, 2-4 cm long.
Radial spines: 17 to 22 rigid white translucent, some with brown tips, 0.8-1.3 cm long.
Root: Swollen bundled.
Flowers: Bright magenta or pink with greenish-white throat and darker mid-ribs, 1.5-2.5 cm long, 12-20 mm broad.
Fruits: Greenish-brown.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Turbinicarpus viereckii group

Turbinicarpus viereckii (Werderm.) V.John & Říha: Usually clustered, only 3-4.5 cm in diameter. Radial spines 17-22. Flowers: Magenta: Distribution: valley of Jaumave, Tamaulipas.
Turbinicarpus viereckii subs. major (Glass & R.A.Foster) Glass: usually solitary, 4-6.5 cm in diameter. Radial spines: 13-16. Flowers: white. Distribution: Nuevo Leon and San Luis Potosi.
Turbinicarpus viereckii subs. neglectus D.Donati & Zanov.: Usually solitary, up to 5 cm in diameter. Radial spines 16-20, glassy, central spines 7-9, rigid, acicular, yellowish with black tips; Flower: magenta. Distribution: Jaumave valley, Tamaulipas.

Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) Davide Donati, Carlo Zanovello “Conoscere, capire, coltivare i Turbinicarpus-Rapicactus” Cactus Trentino Sudtirol, 2004
5) Fitz Maurice, W.A. & Fitz Maurice, B 2013. Turbinicarpus viereckii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 18 July 2015.