Description of Turbinicarpus mandragora ssp. zaragozae

T. mandragora ssp. zaragozae [Click the image for more pictures]

Glass and Foster, CASJ(US) Vol 50(6):283, 1978.

Latin: A typo differt caulibus majoribus, ovoideis, breviore constrictis; areolis et spinis juventute haud albo-lanatis; flosibus pallide flavo-viridibus vel albescentibus; segmentibus perianthii solo linea mediana rosea vel violacea ornatis.

Stems ca. 3.5 (-4) cm thick, tapering gradually to rather slender neck and elongated tuberous root, but without the exceedingly long and slender neck so characteristic of mandragora ssp. subterraneus; areoles without copious white wool except in flowering area. Radial spines ca. 21 to 25, somewhat recurved, scurfy to pubescent in youth, glassy white tipped brown, 3 to 6 mm long, with 2 to 3 bristle like or sub-central spines in upper portion of areole to 2 cm long; central spines 2, upper central 16 to l7 mm long, upper third dark brownish black, lower central 10 to l5 mm long, white and thickened at base, grading through brown to blackish, tip becoming grey with age. Flower 18 to 20 mm long, slender-funnelform, not opening widely, ca. l5 mm wide, dirty yellow in appearance; pericarp pale green; tube pale olive-green with few small scales, tinged tan; outer perianth-segments 2 to 3 mm wide with greenish violet mid-stripe with greenish white, entire margins, tip acute; inner perianth-segments ca. 18, with pale cerise to violet tapering mid-stripe and pale greenish yellow to white, thin margins, tan to yellowish on outer surface; filaments greenish white; anthers orange-yellow, stamens clustered about style; style pale violet with 8 greenish white, 2 mm long stigma-lobes overtopping anthers.

Locality: Zaragoza, Nuevo León.

Related taxa

Turbinicarpus mandragora ssp. zaragozae was originally a member of the genus Rapicactus and is now part of the mandragora aggregate of taxa, together with the following:

References

Two new varieties of Gymnocactus from North-eastern Mexico, CSJ(US), 50(6): 281-285, 1978.

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