Scientific Name
Pelecyphora aselliformis Ehrenb.
Common Name(s)
Hatchet Cactus, Little Peyote, Peyotillo, Woodlouse Cactus
Synonym(s)
Anhalonium aselliforme, Ariocarpus aselliformis, Mammillaria aselliformis, Pelecyphora aselliformis var. concolor
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Pelecyphora
Origin
Pelecyphora aselliformis is native to Mexico. It grows in the shade of bushes around San Luis Potosí.
Description
Pelecyphora aselliformis is a small, very slow-growing cactus that forms a clump of unique, spherical to short cylindrical stems with elongated, laterally flattened tubercles, each with 40 to 60 pectinate spines at the tip. The stems can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. They are usually club-shaped in young specimens.
The pink to violet flowers with lighter outside petals appear at the top of the stems in spring. They can reach up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
To encourage better flowering, allow the plants to enjoy a cooling period in the winter and suspend watering. Unlike many other cacti, which use their ribs as storage devices, Mammillaria feature raised tubercles, from which spines emerge. When you water, the tubercles expand to allow for increased water storage. The flowers emerge from the axils of these tubercles on the previous year's growth, which accounts for their interesting halo effect. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure you fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot Mammillaria, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill it with potting soil, spreading the roots as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mammillaria.
Links
- Back to genus Pelecyphora
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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