Origin and Habitat: Mexico (municipalities of Guadalcazar in the state of San Luis Potosi and in Nuevo León)

• 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

• 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

• 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

Description: Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]] subsp. major is one of the local or morphological form of Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]]. It is an attractive dwarf cactus covered with characteristic glassy white and black spines and whitish wool which is distinguished from the type species for having white flowers instead of purple.
Habit: Contrary to the standard Turbinicarpus viereckiiSN|14959]]SN|14959]], which often clusters and forms small group with time, subsp. major usually remains solitary.
Stem: Dull green or blue-green, globose to slightly cylindrical 4-7(-12) cm tall, 4-7 cm in diameter apex with with very woolly top.
Ribs: 15 to 18 ribs divided in tubercles.
Tubercles: 6 mm long rhomboidal conical.
Central spines: 3 to 7 white with black tips in a cross like formation, 2-4 cm long.
Radial spines: 13 to 16 rigid white translucent, some with brown tips, 0,8-1,3 cm long.
Root: Swollen bundled.
Flowers: White (sometime with a pink midstripe), 3 cm long, 3,5 mm broad
Fruits: Greenish-magenta.

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

Cultivation and Propagation: It’s a fairly easy and robust species to cultivate, but very slow growing. It needs a very well-drained soil, and requires strong sun to part sun to keep the plant compact and low and to develop a good spinal growth. Waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact, and avoid its becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Furthermore it has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult, because it tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. Careful watering away from the body of the plant will allow the areoles to keep their wool. Keep dry in winter, or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. It is hardy to -4°C for a short period. Assure a good ventilation.
Reproduction: From seed, since the plant rarely produces plantlets, or grafted.