Epithelantha F.A.C. Weber ex Britton & Rose (1922)
(Greek epi = on; thele = (breast) wart; Greek anthos = bloom)
bloom on the wart
because of the position of the blooms
Epithelanta are the smallest plants in the Chiuhuan Desert vegetation.
At first sight is Epithelantha similar to the genus of Mammillaria, but analysis by Boke (1955)
shows that the structur of areoles strong depart. The areoles of Mammillaria are split in two parts and the flowers
appear at the base of the tubercle (axil). The areoles of Epithelantha are complete different and the flowers appear on the
areole at the tip of the tubercle where is also appearing the spine. Anyhow is Epithelantha near akin with
Mammillaria, or it is a parallel development.
small, globular to longish, apex usually wooly, also clumping
spines usually tiny, like bristles, dense or less spread
central spine somewhat stronger;
flowers small, appear on the youngest areoles on the apex; fruits longish, red berrys |
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Distribution |
USA - Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
Mexico - Coahuila to San Luis Potosí |
Growth period |
full sun and very warm location, very sensitive against moisture, keep the root neck dry
only watering during warm weather |
Winter period |
absolutly dry, light and cool at 4–8°C (39–46°F) |
Substrat |
gravelly, pure mineral with a part of gypsum
addition of lime or fine limestone is recommended |
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| Epithelantha micromeris (Engelmann) F. A. C. Weber ex Britton & Rose (1922) |
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Habitat |
USA
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas
Mexico
northern States
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Description |
small simple heads Epithelantha
clumping, globular, 0.6–1.5 in (1.5–4 cm) Ø,
tubercles very tiny, barely 1 mm long
crown deepened, often with many wool
spines numerous, to about 2 mm long, bristly white,
only in the youngest areoles on the crown substantial longer,
get shorter by breaking
flowers ca. 6 mm Ø, whiteish to roseate
fruits longish, red
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Flowering time |
January–April in habitat |
Synonyms |
Mammillaria micromeris Engelmann (1856)
Pelecyphora micromeris (G. Engelmann) Poselger ex Hildmann (1885)
Cactus micromeris (G. Engelmann) Kuntze (1891)
Echinocactus micromeris (G. Engelmann) F. A. C. Weber (1898) (nom. inval.)
Cephalomammillaria micromeris (G. Engelmann) Frič (1925) (incorrect name)
Lophophora micromeris (G. Engelmann) Mottram ex Grym (1997) (nom. inval.)
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| CITES |
Appendix II |
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