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Cact. Suc. Mex. 25(3): 65 (1980)
Family: CACTACEAE
Accepted Scientific Name: Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 13. 1998
Origin and Habitat: Ramos Arispe, Coahuila, Mexico.
Synonyms:
- Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata (Backeb.) Bravo
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza subs. elongata (Backeb.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza var. elongata Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
Dict. Hort. [Bois] 2: 804. 1898 Britton & Rose, Cactaceae, 3: 93, fig. 102. 1922
Synonymy: 16
- Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
- Cactus micromeris (Engelm.) Kuntze
- Cephalomamillaria micromeris (Engelm.) Frič
- Echinocactus micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
- Mammillaria micromeris Engelm.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. caespitosa Y.Itô
- Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata hort.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. longispina Y.Itô
- Epithelantha micromeris var. neomexicana n.n.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha greggii var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha rufispina Bravo
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis n.n.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis f. cristata hort.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. typica Croizat
Epithelantha micromeris var. dickisoniae hort.
Synonymy: 3 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 12. 1998
Synonymy: 12
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
- Cactus micromeris var. greggii (Engelm.) J.M.Coult.
- Cephalomamillaria greggii var. greggii (Engelm.) Frič
- Cephalomamillaria micromeris var. greggii cv. Gray Herb. CardCat., Issue 114 (Engelm.) Frič
- Epithelantha greggii (Engelm.) Orcutt
- Epithelantha micromeris var. greggii (Engelm.) Y.Itô
- Mammillaria greggii (Engelm.) Saff.
- Mammillaria micromeris var. greggii Engelm.
- Epithelantha greggii subs. potosina D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. densispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha densispina Bravo
- Epithelantha greggii var. densispina (Bravo) Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii f. cristata
Synonymy: 2 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 13. 1998
Synonymy: 6
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor
- Epithelantha micromeris var. pachyrhiza W.T.Marshall
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) Backeb.
- Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata (Backeb.) Bravo
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza subs. elongata (Backeb.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza var. elongata Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza f. cristata
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass
Guía Identif. Cact. Amenazadas México 1: Ep/mi ssp. polycephala (1998 publ. 1997)
Synonymy: 4
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass
- Epithelantha greggii subs. polycephala (Backeb.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass & R.A.Foster
- Epithelantha polycephala Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. . 5: 12. 1998
Synonymy: 6
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor
- Epithelantha micromeris var. unguispina (Boed.) Backeb.
- Epithelantha unguispina (Boed.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Mammillaria micromeris var. unguispina Boed.
- Epithelantha spinosior
- Epithelantha unguispina subs. huastecana D.Donati & Zanov.
Description: Epithelantha micromerisSN|12636]]SN|6936]] f. elongata best known as: Epithelantha pachyrhizaSN|12636]]SN|12636]] var. elongata is a different variety with a cylindrical body which is more elongated than Epithelantha micromerisSN|12636]]SN|6936]] and sits directly on a thick turnip-like root. The tip is the same as E. micromeris, while the elongated stem is similar to that of Epithelantha pachyrhizaSN|12636]]SN|12636]] but without a so very thin constriction between the stem and the turnip-like root. It grows quite unlike E. micromeris, in that it at first puts up a thin stem rather akin to Turbinicarpus krainzianusSN|12810]]SN|12810]] ssp. minimus before evidently broadening out to a wider head. Epithelantha pachyrhizaSN|6936]]SN|12636]] var. elongata is quite common in culture, while Epithelantha pachyrhizaSN|12636]]SN|12636]] var. pachyrhiza is quite rare, usually it is possible to find only the variety Epithelantha pachyrhizaSN|6936]]SN|12636]] var. elongata.
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Epithelantha micromeris group
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois: Miniature globose cactus, unbranched or in small clumps. Produces small pink flowers followed by attractive red fruits . Spines are white or greysh, innocuous and appressed on sides of stems.- Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata hort.: This is a miniature cactus that makes a nice and tangled cluster of fine crests. The stem surface is completely obscured by small pectinated ashy-grey to white spines.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. dickisoniae hort.: Minute clustering cactus of doubtful status (but common in cultivation), it shows similarities with Epithelantha micromeris subsp. polycephala and Epithelantha pachyrhiza. Spines are whitish turning to a brownish tinge in adult plant's crown. Roots: Tuberose.
- Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata (Backeb.) Bravo: It has elongated stems and a thick tap-root. It is intermediate between E. micromeris and E. pachyrhiza. Distribution: Ramos Arispe, Coahuila, Mexico.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor: This subspecies has a rough, somewhat bristly appearance with iIndividual stems up to 5 cm or more in diameter,. Spines are chalky white to reddish brown. Distribution: Northern Mexico, especially Saltillo, Coahuila.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii f. cristata: crested form.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. neomexicana n.n.: This is the population found in New Mexico (USA) but this taxon is not easily recognizable from other Epitelantha micromeris (if not the same identical plant)
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor: It has tuberousroots and a stem only partly obscured by the white to orange-tan spines; Distribution: Strictly endemic of southeast and northeast of Saltillo.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza f. cristata
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass: Clustering miniature cactus; an old plant may have more than 100 heads, and be 10 cm of diameter. Spines are grey/whitish, pastel or ocre. Distribution: it occurs in a limited area of Coahuila.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.: Minute globular cactus, becoming somewhat elongated when old. the spines are numerose up to 40 whitish all radials, turning to a grey-reddish or brownish tinge in adult plants crown. The spine base is reddish.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis n.n.: This is the population found in Texas (USA) but this taxon is not easily recognizable from other Epitelantha micromeris (if not the same identical plant)
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis f. cristata hort.: Crested form.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor: It is a little larger than the standard form. Stem globular, up to 6 cm, often clumping over time. It generally has a small projecting black-tipped central spine, 4-5mm long. Origin: Near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, south into San Luis Potosi.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Sybille & Klaus Breckwoldt in: "Kakteen und andere Sukkulenten", Volume 55 Steinhart KG, 2004
2) Backbg. - "Cactus", 9:39, 32 und 9:40, 62. 1954
Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata Photo by: Peiffer Clement
The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present. Read More...
Cultivation and Propagation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant, in cultivation it is relatively easy, but very slow growing.. These plants need very coarse potting soil that drains well (rot prone).
Waterings should be rather infrequent, to keep the plant compact and not become excessively elongated or unnatural in appearance. If the plant becomes to much tall it will lean on a side because the thin neck cannot support the weight of the stem, to keep the plant erect one could either repot it into a deeper pot and bury part of the neck in gravel to give it some support or one could place a couple of nice stones/rocks either side of it to support it. The only trouble with burying the neck with white spined plants like Epithelantha is that the neck can act like a wick when you water and cause brown staining to the plant, watering from the bottom reduces this somewhat.
Frost Tolerance: Depending on the variety, it will take -5° C (or less) (Temperature Zone: USDA 8-11)
Sun Exposure: It requires strong sun to part sun to develop good spinal growth, but some summer shade in the hottest hours of the day is beneficial. Assure a good ventilation.
Propagation: It can be reproduced both by seeds and cuttings, but it is often grafted because difficult and slow to grow on its own roots. Older specimens shoot tillers from under tubercles, so they can be grafted, which is a much easier way of propagation than sowing. Young seedlings are tiny and they need several years to reach adult size, and require careful watering.
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