Accepted Scientific Name: Uebelmannia pectinifera Buining
Natl. Cact. Succ. J. xxii. 86 (1967)
Uebelmannia pectinifera var. crebispina Photo by: Alexander Arzberger
Origin and Habitat: Barao de Quacuy, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Field nunber HU642)
Habitat and ecology): Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] v. crebispina is found in the mountain regions of Minas Gerais, where it grows at an altitude of about 1000m above sea level, in areas of fertile soil.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Uebelmannia pectinifera
Common Names include:
PORTUGUESE (Português): Quiabo-da-lapa
Description: Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] v. crebispina is an undescribed name (nomen nudum - Abbreviation n.n., A title lacking valid description) and distinguished by the field number HU642. It was first named by the cactus trader and explorer Leopoldo Horst resident in Brazil. It has been said that Horst gave many of the plants he collected/sold new names to increase sales. He never properly described his plants, he just gave them names and sold them. He deliberately hunted down unusual looking things so it can be difficult to characterise them in terms of the existing described species. This “variety” is somewhat similar to Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]], but then who can say what it should really look like since Horst never described it. Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] v. crebispina is not readily distinguishable from the standard species, if not for the geographical provenance. More likely they are one and the same species.
Stem: Globose, becoming short-cylindrical with age, about 30 cm tall and 10 cm in diameter, with a light green or bronze epidermis. The apex is pubescent with thick greyish hair.
Ribs: About 28, straight and tall.
Areoles: Rounded, covered with whitish felt.
Spines: 3-5 spines (more numerous in youth), at first yellow to dark yellow-brown becoming grey to grey-black, and about 35 mm in length. The spines are neatly arranged, straight, and give a comb-like effect.
Flowers: Light yellow, to 1.5 cm in length and about 1 cm in diameter.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Uebelmannia pectinifera complex
- Uebelmannia pectinifera Buining: (ssp. pectinifera) It has about 18 ribs and slowly grow up to 50 cm in height. Origin: It comes from the mountains in the higher part of the areal.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera var. crebispina n.n.: Barao de Quacuy, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera var. eriocactoides Řepka, Krajča & V.Toman: The seedlings closely resemble to juvenile plants of Eriocactus leninghausii, hence the name.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera subs. flavispina (Buining & Bredero) P.J.Braun & Esteves: It has up to 29 ribs with amber yellow spines, and can grow about 35 cm tall. Origin: west of Diamantina.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera subs. flavispina var. longispina n.n.: like subsp. flavispina, but spines longer and thicker. Distribution: Guinda, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera subs. horrida (P.J.Braun) P.J.Braun & Esteves: Stem with more than 23 ribs (up to 40) it is the taller of the three and can reach 1 m of height. Origin: Serra do Espihaço.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera var. multicostata Buining & Bredero: has 20 or more ribs. Distribution: 10 km E of Mendanha towards the Rio Jequitinhonha, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera var. pseudopectinifera Buining: has smaller and greener stems, with separate (not confluent) areoles without brush-like spines. Distribution: Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
- Uebelmannia pectinifera f. variegata hort.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) “Uebelmannia pectinifera var. crebispina - Ибельмания пектинифера (гребненосная) разн. Кребиспина”, КАКТУС КИЕВ Украинский сайт о кактусаx и кактусоводаx, <http://www.cactuskiev.com.ua/mediawiki/index.php/Uebelmannia_pectinifera_var._crebispina>
Cultivation and Propagation: This tropical cactus loves warm moist, humid conditions and mist spraying is a must in summer. Water regularly during the growing season and use a very draining mineral potting substrate. At the onset of winter, do not water. Uebelmannias need heat all year round and extra winter heat, minimum 10C is best. Avoid any frost. Keep cool in summer. This plant prove to be root prone if kept too cold in winter. To help stop this, a good deep collar of pumice or lava grit is an excellent idea. It prefers a position in full sun, and possibly afternoon shade in summer. If you can place it so that this occurs, the plant will be much happier.
Propagation: Seeds, but plants are often grafted, making them easier to grow, particularly through the winter. If possible using a rootstock that is more hardy than the Uebelmannia is ideal.