Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima
Size
ex 2L pots
Availability: In stock
£12.99
Quick Overview
  • Choice low-growing opuntiad
  • Beautiful magenta-violet flower
  • Multibranched segments and subterranean taproot
  • Cold tolerant
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Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima is a remarkable opuntiad from around Incahuasi in the Culpina Basin of the central southern Bolivian department of Chuquisaca, growing at around 3200m above sea level. First described by Josef Jakob Halda and Ladislav Horáček in 2000 as Tephrocactus pulcherrimus it was later moved to Cumulopuntia by Graham Charles in 2011. Developing a thick multibranched taproot over time, it forms a low, squat, extremely attractive clump. The many irregularly shaped segments form a beautiful multibranched mat randomly sporting the occasional soft squiggly bristle-like spine but it is the flower that makes Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima so distinctive. An unusual deep magenta/violet colour and at 40-60mm across, rather large, these flowers are indeed pulcherrima. In their original basionym description, Halda and Horáček described it as 'one of the most beautiful Opuntia'...

Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima is an easy cactus to grow, requiring a free-draining mineral substrate and full sun and of course, should be kept perfectly dry from October through to March. It is cold-tolerant and will overwinter in a cool glasshouse. If placed outside in the summertime, be careful of snails: they take a fancy to this choice cactus and although the scars they leave are relatively soon subsumed under the new growth, it is wise to take precautions. Be watchful also of mealy bugs - the scourge of any cactus collection - as they are easily hidden amongst the many segments.

An old well-grown specimen of Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima can be lifted to expose the top part of it taproot and grown as a caudiciform.


Additional Information

Order Caryophyllales
Family Cactaceae
Sub-Family Opuntioideae
Synonyms Cumulopuntia subterranea f. incahuasi, Maihueniopsis subterranea subsp. pulcherrima, Puna subterranea f. incahuasi, Tephrocactus pulcherrimus
Geographical Origin Bolivia
Cultivation Dry, gritty mineral substrate that is free-draining. Full sun. If placing it outdoors watch out for snails and keep a lookout for mealybugs who can hide in its many crevices. Overwinter indoors
Eventual Height 10cm
Eventual Spread 15-30cm
Hardiness Cold tolerant, it will take a few degrees of sub-zero temperatures if kept dry in a cool glasshouse but outdoors is not fully frost hardy in most cold wet UK locations. Best as a houseplant
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Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima
Size
ex 2L pots
£12.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
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