Scientific Name
Ariocarpus retusus Scheidw.
Common Name(s)
False Peyote, Living Rock, Living Rock Cactus, Star Rock
Synonym(s)
Anhalonium areolosum, Anhalonium elongatum, Anhalonium furfuraceum, Anhalonium prismaticum, Anhalonium pulvilligerum, Anhalonium retusum, Ariocarpus confusus, Ariocarpus elongatus, Ariocarpus elongatus subsp. horacekii, Ariocarpus furfuraceus, Ariocarpus furfuraceus f. cristata, Ariocarpus furfuraceus var. rostratus, Ariocarpus prismaticus, Ariocarpus prismaticus var. major, Ariocarpus prismaticus var. minor, Ariocarpus pulvilligeris, Ariocarpus pulvilligerus, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. confusus, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. horacekii, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. jarmilae, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. panarottoi, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. pectinatus, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. retusus, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. scapharostroides, Ariocarpus retusus subsp. sladkovskyi, Ariocarpus retusus var. furfuraceus, Ariocarpus retusus var. retusus, Ariocarpus trigonus var. elongatus, Ariocarpus trigonus var. horacekii, Ariocarpus trigonus var. minor, Cactus areolosus, Cactus prismaticus, Cactus procerus, Chilita elongata, Leptocladia elongata, Leptocladodia elongata, Mammillaria aloides, Mammillaria areolosa, Mammillaria elongata, Mammillaria furfuracea, Mammillaria prismatica, Mammillaria procera, Mammillaria pulvilligera, Mammillaria purpuracea, Neomammillaria elongata
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Origin
The native range of this species is from Coahuila and Nuevo León to San Luis Potosí in Mexico. It grows on limestone or rocky slopes.
Description
Ariocarpus retusus is an unusual slow-growing cactus with a solitary, flattened globose stem with stiff pyramidal tubercles with wooly bases, forming a rosette. The stem is grey-green or blue-green and grows up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) tall and 10 inches (25 cm) in diameter. Tubercles are up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long and up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) wide. The diurnal flowers are white to pink, sometimes with reddish midribs, and appear in fall. They are up to 1.7 inches (4.2 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Fruits are white, green, or rarely pinkish, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter.
Despite its slow growth, often taking ten years to reach flowering age, this species is a desirable cactus for cultivation because of its interesting form and attractive flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Plant your Ariocarpus in soil 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 use a shade cloth to limit their sun or move them out of it 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus.
Varieties
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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