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Aztekium ritteri f. cristata
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The
cause of cresting: The cause of cresting is not fully explained; biologists
disagree as to why some cactus grow in this unusual form. Some
speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of
lightning strike or freeze damage, but whatever the stimulus, the
growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line,
which folds and undulates as the crest expands. Though these crested
cactus are somewhat rare (1 to 10 in 250,000), cresting occurs naturally
throughout the range of the most species.
In the
ontogenesis
a crest can appear any time, but development of crests on large
columnar
cactus species ( such as the saguaro Carnegia gigantea) in the
early
stages
of ontogenesis is unlikely. On the other hand, small species may crest
early already at the
cotyledons
stage.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Aztekium ritteri (Boed.)
Boed.
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES Appendix 1
Cultivation: It is of extreme slow growth -
probably the slowest of the entire cactus family. It usually takes
several years for growth to be noticeable. Prefer some shading.
Reproduction: They are usually grafted,
It is also possible to root pieces of crest from grafted plants but with
little success.
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of Aztekium ritterii.
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