Description of Turbinicarpus saueri ssp. ysabelae

T. saueri ssp. ysabelae [Click the image for more pictures]

Kathe G. Schlange, CSJ(Am) 5(10):551, 1934

Latin: Depressa globosa Ca. 6 cm alta, 7-9 cm lata, apice lanosa. Costis 13-15; tuberculis brevibus, crassis, 5 mm longis; axillis nudis; areolis oblongis. Spinis pectinatis, intertextis; radialibus 16-20, 2-7 mm longis, albis apice brunneis; spina centrali solitaria in areola summa excrescente interdum in ordine ipso radialium, alba apice griseo v. caeruleo-nigrescente. Flore campanulato 1 cm longo, 3/4 cm lato; perianthii lobis internis 2, eburneis; externis 12, lineari-lanceolatis, 3/4 cm longis; viridescentibus linea brunnea ad medium percursis. Ovario 1/3 cm longo, flavescente. Filamentis plurimis; antheris luteis stylo 1.5 mm. longo.

Plant body medium green, depressed, globose, about 6 cm high, 7-9 cm in diameter; apex depressed, woolly, covered over by the short, slightly curved, bluish-black central spines of the upper areoles. Ribs 13-15. Tubercles short, stout, 5 mm. long, appressed, 4-5 angled, 7 mm. in diameter at base, sub-terete at the tip. Axils bare. Areoles oblong, 3-4 mm. long, 1.5 to 2 mm. wide, when young very woolly. Tubercles slightly grooved at the upper side. Spines pectinate, interlocking, appressed, translucent white. Radial spines 16 to 20, shorter above, longer below, 2 to 7 mm. long, slightly bulbous at the base, when young yellowish at the base, the rest white with yellowish-brown tips. Central spines solitary, located at the upper corner of areole, sometimes growing directly on line with the radials, slightly flattened and incurved, 7 to 9 mm. long, chalky white with grey to bluish black tip. Flower campanulate 1 cm long, 0.75 cm broad at the mouth. Inner perianth segments 12, ivory-white, greenish at the base; outer segments 12, linear-lanceolate, 0.75 cm long, pale green with a dark brown stripe along the mid-rib and brown tip. Ovary 0.33 cm long, yellowish. Style 1.5 mm long. Filaments numerous with bright orange anthers. Flowers during April-May and September-October. The flowers last for 3-4 days closing in the afternoon. Fruits not seen.

var. brevispina

Latin: A specie differt tuberculis brevioribus, minoribus; spinis minus intertextis atque brevioribus.

Like the species but: tubercles somewhat shorter and not so stout; spines not interlocking as much as in the species; spines shorter.

Notes

Clarke Brunt has some habitat photos of this taxon on his Mexican homepage.

Related taxa

Turbinicarpus saueri ssp. ysabelae is part of the saueri aggregate of taxa, together with the following:

References

CSJ(Am) 5(10):551, 1934

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