🌱 Morphology
    Small cactus, generally solitary, although occasionally clumping, with a globose to slightly ovoid body, matte green, measuring about 5–8 cm in diameter. The apex appears depressed and covered with wool. The tubercles are large, conical, laterally widened and compressed, arranged in a spiral and slightly oblique, with a deep groove. The areoles are elliptical and generally feature 16–20 yellowish, curved, and pectinated radial spines, about 1 cm long, with brown tips. It may develop a sturdier and longer central spine, although this may be absent.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Endemic to central Mexico, with a distribution mainly in Querétaro, Hidalgo and Guanajuato, extending into the Valley of Mexico and also appearing in San Luis Potosí and other states in the center of the country. It grows in xerophytic scrubland and grasslands, on stony and frequently calcareous soils, at approximately 1400 to 2500 m. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, Cacteae tribe. The nomenclature follows Joël Lodé, Taxonomy of the Cactaceae (2026), volumes III–VI.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −7 ºC in dry and well-acclimatized specimens. During winter, it must be kept completely dry to prevent damage from cold and moisture.

☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense lighting, although in extremely hot summer climates it may benefit from slight protection during the middle hours. High light intensity promotes compact growth and spination. As a guideline during active growth, a PAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water abundantly, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. From autumn, waterings are gradually spaced out until it is kept dry during winter. It requires a very porous and well-draining substrate.

🌸 Flowering
It produces large flowers, 6–7 cm in diameter, lemon yellow in color, occasionally with a reddish base. They appear in the apical area mainly during summer. The fruits are green and contain numerous small seeds.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

S - > 9cm x 9cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.