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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Lophophora
forma
"caespitosa"
botanist
Synonym:
Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa Ito
nom. inv.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES Appendix II
Etymology:
The
genus name
"
Lophophora"
derives
from the Greek word “Lophos (λοφος)”
which means “the back of the neck; the crest of a hill or helmet”
and “Phoreo (φορεω)” meaning “to carry, to bring”
referring to the tufts of hair that adorn the tubercles of some member
of the genus. Plus the latinizing suffix “us”. ( The specific
name implies:
"bearing crests")
The
form name "caespitosa"
derives from the Latin word “caespes”
which means “turf” and refers to the dense tufts of basal
stems. ( The specific name implies:
"growing in tufts or clumps")
(Photo Yannick Gregorn -Slovenia)
Cultivation:
Slow growing. Because of the tap root they are
very rot prone, so use highly gritty compost with much drainage.
Requires half shade to part sun. Watering: waterings should be
rather infrequent to keep the plant compact and not to become
excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance,
watering it properly is often difficult
because this plant tends to crack open or rot if over-watered.
The fact that the plant retracts into the soil and assume a grey-green
colouring between watering, is perfectly natural and doesn’t cause any
damage.
Overwatering: Keep completely dry and cool in winter (An unheated
greenhouse would be perfect) or when night temperatures remain below 10°
C, it can survive low temperatures (appr. -7°C) for a short
period. Assure a good ventilation.
Propagation: Easy to propagate from
cuttings in spring (let them dry till the ends callous well). Then
replant them in fresh cactus soil that is ever so slightly moist,
and keep them that way till they root.
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of
plants belonging to the
Lophophora williamsii complex
(This
Taxon
has several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form
is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate
characteristics):
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