Gymnocalycium oenanthemum

Gymnocalycium oenanthemum is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, endemic to Argentina. A slightly flattened sphere growing to 12 cm (4.7 in), it has 10-13 ribs, each containing a row of tubercles with radial spines. In summer it bears a wine-red or pink daisy-like flower.

Gymnocalycium oenanthemum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Gymnocalycium
Species:
G. oenanthemum
Binomial name
Gymnocalycium oenanthemum

Description edit

Gymnocalycium oenanthemum grows individually with cloudy gray-green to blue-green, flattened, spherical shoots and reaches heights of up to 8 centimeters with diameters of 12 centimeters. The eleven to 13 ribs are sharp-edged. There is a central spine, which is often missing. The usually five straight to slightly curved, reddish-gray marginal spines have a darker tip and are up to 1.5 centimeters long.

The short, funnel-shaped, wine-red to slightly pink, shiny flowers reach a length of up to 5 centimeters and a diameter of 4 centimeters. The fruits are green.[2]

In cultivation in the UK and other temperate regions it cannot survive freezing, so at least in the winter months it must be kept indoors in a bright, cool environment with minimal watering. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

Distribution edit

Gymnocalycium oenanthemum is widespread in the Argentine provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja at altitudes of 800 to 1300 meters.

Taxonomy edit

The first description was made in 1934 by Curt Backeberg.

References edit

  1. ^ Demaio, P.; Perea, M.; Trevisson, M. (2013). "Gymnocalycium oenanthemum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013: e.T151783A561045. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T151783A561045.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 322. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
  3. ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Gymnocalycium oenanthemum". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2018.

External links edit