Scientific Name
Aztekium hintonii Glass & W.A.Fitz Maur.
Synonym(s)
Aztekonia ×hintonii
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Aztekium
Etymology
The specific epithet "hintonii" (pronounced "HIN-ton-ee-eye") honors George Boole Hinton (1882-1943), a British mining engineer, botanist, and plant collector in Mexico.
Origin
Aztekium hintonii is native to Mexico. It grows in semi-desert shrubland in Galeana in Nuevo León.
Description
Aztekium hintonii is a small, slow-growing cactus with a spherical, grayish-green, usually solitary stem with 10 to 15 well-defined ribs traversed by tiny wrinkles. The stem can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter and sometimes can produce a few offsets, forming a small clump. The woolly apex of the stem has a slight depression. The ribs of the stem are up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) deep. Each areole bears three short-lived, grayish-white, curved spines, measuring up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) long.
The diurnal flowers are magenta-colored and appear at the stem apex in summer. They can reach a diameter of up to 1.2 inches (3 cm). The fruits are small, berry-like, pinkish, hidden in the apical wool, and contain tiny, brownish-black seeds.
How to Grow and Care for Aztekium hintonii
Hardiness: USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30°F (-1.1°C) to 50°F (10°C).
Aztekiums are by far the most challenging cacti to grow. They have extremely slow growth, probably the slowest of the entire Cactus family, and usually take several years for growth to be even noticeable. However, once a specimen is established on its own roots, it is no trouble to keep it, and it becomes an easy plant to manage.
Because of their difficulty to cultivate, Aztekiums are most often grafted onto hardier stock. They need good drainage and regular water in summer. Keep it nearly dry in winter. If grafted, the plants can take a little more water. Just remember the graft stock is also a cactus and will rot if overwatered. Provide shade from midday through the afternoon. A little morning sun is OK.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Aztekium.
Links
- Back to genus Aztekium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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