Stenocactus comptagonis

Summer is acting like it's already here this week with temperatures expected to reach 83F tomorrow. Feels good! The epies are blooming like mad, of course, but also this beauty, along with a few of the rebutias. (For those living in this area, be sure to protect your succulent from scalding in the bright sun this week. They're not used to it yet!)

Stenocactus phyllacanthus

Finally, the last of the Stenocactus series: Stenocactus phyllacanthus. We received it as Echinofossulocactus tricuspidatus, an older name which is now generally accepted to be subsumed under S. phyllacanthus. Very distinctive for the limited number of radial spines and it's small yellowish flowers.

Yesterday evening I spent some time seeding 17 packets of Lithops seeds. Now we wait.

Stenocactus multicostatus

This is the classic Stenocactus multicostatus - the "wave" or "brain" cactus. They're quite variable in habitat and as a result several other species are clumped together in this complex. This particular plant is from seed collected at Los Imagines, Coahuila, Mexico (SB1147) and is an excellent example of the species. They can have as many as 120 ribs, although the 60 or so on this plant is more typical.

 

Stenocactus (Echinofossulocactus) crispatus var. xiphacanthus

This is another one in the crispatus complex, var. xiphacanthus. The variety name refers to the lance shaped spines, which make it quite impressive. Culture, like for all stenocacti, is very easy, using basic succulent plant growing techniques. And though I don't have any pictures with flowers here - it's not the right time of year - they are good bloomers!

Stenocactus crispatus var. longispinus?

Stenocactus crispatus is now considered by the scientific community as a species which has within it a large degree of diversity, creating what Anderson called "a taxonomic nightmare." This means that it now includes a large number of former species and that the varietal status of this plant is questionable. But for the collector, a notation that this is a "long spined form" is probably helpful. Perhaps Stenocactus crispatus (long spines). But whatever you call them, they're real beauties.

Stenocactus vaupelianus (Syn: Stenocactus albatus)

The first one up is Stenocactus vaupelianus, also known as Echinofossulocactus vaupelianus or Stenocactus albatus. It came to us labeled as Echinofossulocactus albatus. For the collector, the "albatus" moniker is probably the best to use, but scientifically it probably doesn't rate specific status - or at least that's the current reasoning. But as I say, as a collector it doesn't really matter too much. Beauties aren't they? (By the way, the currently accepted genus name is Stenocactus.)

Stenocactus (Echinofossulocactus)

Stenocactus - or Echinofossulocactus! - and because of the wide variability of the plants, there have been many specific names put forth, many of which are no longer accepted by the scientific community. I'll be posting a few of the ones we have, identified as best we can in the next few days.