Scientific Name
Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus (Wats.) Gerhart Frank
Accepted Scientific Name
Ariocarpus retusus Scheidw.
Common Name(s)
Seven Stars, Living Rock
Synonym(s)
Ariocarpus furfuraceus, Anhalonium furfuraceum, Mammillaria furfuracea
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Description
Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus, also known as Ariocarpus furfuraceus, is a slow-growing geophytic cactus with a solitary grey-green stem with prominent tubercles. The stem is flattened globose and can grow up to 4.8 inches (12 cm) tall and 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. The tubercles can measure up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. This plant differs from the typical form of Ariocarpus retusus only for its equilateral triangular tubercles. However, all other characteristics clearly show that they are conspecific.
The flowers are diurnal, white to pinkish, and appear in fall. They can measure up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter,
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °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 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 exposure to the 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 with low humidity.
Water your Ariocarpus when it is dry, but wait until the soil dries 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
Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus is native to Mexico and widely distributed in Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and Nuevo Leon. It is not accepted as a variety and is treated as a synonym of Ariocarpus retusus.
Links
- Back to genus Ariocarpus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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