Scientific Name
Ariocarpus agavoides (Castan.) E.F.Anderson
Common Names
Tamaulipas Living Rock Cactus, Magueyito
Synonyms
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus subsp. agavoides, Neogomesia agavoides
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Description
Ariocarpus agavoides is a small rosette-shaped cactus with short, stiff, dark green tubercles. The stem is greenish-brown, subglobose, somewhat flattened, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, and up to 3.2 (8 cm) in diameter. The rest of the plant is rootstock growing underground. The divergent, flaccid tubercles are flattened adaxially. The areoles at the tips of the tubercles are up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) long. Some individuals lack spines, while others have whitish spines up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long. Mature plants, 5 to 8 years of age, begin to produce magenta flowers that are up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter and up to 2 inches (5 cm) long. Fruits are reddish, globose, and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter.
Photo by Lakota
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
You should plant your Ariocarpus in soil specifically formulated for cacti. You can buy a cactus mix at your local nursery. Do not use generic soil mixes because they will not provide enough aeration and drainage. Additionally, using a container without a hole, whether it is a pot or a terrarium, is a bad idea for the same reason.
Ariocarpus need a lot of sunlight. However, in hot, dry areas, they can be damaged by excessive sunlight, so you should either use a shade-cloth to limit their sun or move them out of the sun during the hottest hours of the day. In more temperate areas, direct sunlight is fine.
These cacti prefer to be kept at room temperature or slightly lower and in low humidity.
Water your Ariocarpus when it is dry, but then wait until the soil dries out completely to water it again. The amount of time this takes will vary depending on your climate and the size of your pot if you use one.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus.
Origin
It is endemic to Mexico and grows in dry shrubland in rocky calcareous substrates.
Links
- Back to genus Ariocarpus
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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