Scientific Name
Ariocarpus scaphirostris Boed.
Common Name(s)
Living Rock Cactus
Synonym(s)
Ariocarpus retusus var. swobodae, Ariocarpus scapharostrus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Origin
Ariocarpus scaphirostris is native to Mexico. It occurs in the valley of Rayones in Nuevo León, typically found between layers of flaky limestone schist, where soil and moisture can accumulate.
Description
Ariocarpus scaphirostris is a slow-growing geophytic cactus with a subglobose, dark green to brown stem with large divergent tubercles. The solitary stem is up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) in diameter. Tubercles are triangular in cross-section, slightly incurved, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long, and up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) wide.
The flowers are magenta-colored, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter, and appear in fall. The fruits are reddish-green to brown, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long, and up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter, and contain tiny black seeds.
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 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 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. 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.
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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