Gymnocalycium Pfeiffer ex Mittler (1844)

(Greek gymnos = naked, Greek kalyx = calyx)
naked flower calyx
because of the calyx without spines, bristles and hairs

usually flat globular, in age some thick columnar, very different sizes, simple or clumping
ribs 20 or less; spines adjacent or outspread, thin to very strong
flowers small short to large funnel shaped, often white or white with red center, however also yellow or red,
calyx bare and scaly; fruits and seeds very different

Highslide JS
 

Distribution

south America - Bolivia, Paraguay, south Brazil to Argentinia
almost complete south America eastern of the Cordilleras
steppes and mountains

Growth period

warm and part shady, avoid full sun, temporarily a location outdoor is possible
plants with stronger spines can get more sun
from early summer abundant watering, but standing moisture is to avoid
especially at warm weather not to sparse moisture

Winter period

bright and cool, not to dry, at 6–12°C (42–53°F), as possible not under 5°C (41°F)
mountain species occasionally also colder

Substrat

nutrient rich, very permeable to water with addition of peat
   
Gymnocalycium damsii (K. Schumann) Briton & Rose (1922)
 
Highslide JS
  Highslide JS   Highslide JS
         

Habitat

Paraguay, Bolivia
Santa Cruz - in 984–2624 ft (300–800 m) altitude

Description

named after E. Dams
lovely dwarf cactus, strong varying, flattened globular, adult plants hardly larger than 1.6 in (4 cm) Ø,
bright to dark green, at a full sunny place or with a root disease somewhat reddish
ribs to about 10, quite broad, with sharp across notches and humps
2–3 spines, to 0.5 in (1.2 cm) long, whiteish, the tip and base darker brown, later gray

flowers 2.5 in (6.5 cm) long, 2 in (5 cm) Ø, sometimes larger than the plant, white, the center wine-red, with roof tile shaped scales
fruits 1 in (2.5 cm) long; seeds only 1 mm Ø

Synonyms

Echinocactus damsii K. Schumann (1903)
Gymnocalycium anisitsii
ssp. anisitsii

CITES

Appendix II
 
Description of "Kakteen von A bis Z" by Walter Haage with courtesy by Kakteen-Haage made available.

 

 

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