Neoporteria subgibbosa f. litoralis

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Neoporteria subgibbosa f. litoralis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley

Family: CACTACEAE

= Eriosyce subgibbosa var. litoralis (F.Ritter) Katt.
Eriosyce (Cactac.) gen. revis. & ampl. (Succ. Pl. Res., 1) 119 (1994)

Accepted Scientific Name: Eriosyce subgibbosa (Haw.) Katt.
Eriosyce (Cactac.) gen. revis. & ampl. (Succ. Pl. Res., 1) 119 (1994)

Neoporteria subgibbosa f. litoralis (Eriosyce subgibbosa var. litoralis) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Origin and Habitat: It grows in the rocks near the ocean.

Synonyms:

Eriosyce subgibbosa var. litoralis (F.Ritter) Katt.

Neoporteria litoralis F.Ritter
Neoporteria litoralis var. intermedia
Neoporteria litoralis var. robustispina Y.Itô
Neoporteria subgibbosa var. intermedia (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
Neoporteria subgibbosa var. litoralis (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm.
Neoporteria subgibbosa f. litoralis (F.Ritter) Donald & G.D.Rowley

See all synonyms of Eriosyce subgibbosa

Description: Eriosyce subgibbosaSN|2931]]SN|2931]] var. litoralis (firstly described as Neoporteria litoralisSN|2938]]SN|2938]] by F.Ritter in 1959) is a local or morphological form of the widespread and variable Eriosyce subgibbosaSN|2931]]SN|2931]]. It is a very spiny solitary or slowly clumping cactus and has from 30 to 40 hairlike radial spines per areole. However the different forms of Eriosyce subgibbosaSN|2931]]SN|2931]] var. litoralis, appear to fall within the natural variation of Eriosyce subgibbosaSN|2931]]SN|2931]] and it should be fully synonymized with the latter.

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Eriosyce subgibbosa group

Eriosyce subgibbosa (Haw.) Katt.: This is the form with more elongated stems, with 8 to 30 thin, acicular, radial spines per areole, spines often yellowish.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. castanea (F.Ritter) Katt.: It has thin short and acicular radial spines and globose stems that will sometimes offset. The flowers can get up to 6 cm long (the larger among the "subgibbosa" forms).
Eriosyce subgibbosa subs. clavata (Söhrens ex K.Schum.) Katt.: It has from 11 to 13 thick radial spines per areole and slender stems.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. litoralis (F.Ritter) Katt.: It is very spiny and has from 30 to 40 hairlike radial spines per areole it grows in the rocks.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. nigrihorrida (Backeb. ex A.W.Hill) Katt.: has globose blackish-green body and stout straight spines which are pitch-black in the crown. The flowers are bi-coloured with carmine petal tips and yellowish-white throat. Distribution: South Coquimbo.
Eriosyce subgibbosa f. rapifera (F.Ritter & Y.Itô): has a purple body with black spines and a swollen carrot like root. Distribution: la Serena and adjacent areas.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. vallenarensis (F.Ritter) Katt.: It has from 9 to 24 thin & straight radial spine per areole and slender stems.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. wagenknechtii (F.Ritter) Katt.: has fewer ribs and smaller flowers less tha 3 cm long. It has dark-grey or blackish spines. Distribution: la Serena and adjacent areas.
Eriosyce subgibbosa var. wagenknechtii f. napina (F.Ritter): has a swollen carrot like root often much larger than the standard stem. Distribution: la Serena and adjacent areas.
Neoporteria cachitaensis n.n., catalog name: Distribution: Cachita (East of Taltal), region 02 Antofagasta, Chile.
Neoporteria clavata f. grandiflora F.Ritter: has larger flowers. Distribution: Coastal Chile (East of La Serena to West of Vicuña)
Neoporteria clavata f. parviflora F.Ritter: has smaller flowers. Coastal Chile (Approx from Valparaiso to Maule)
Neoporteria clavata f. procera F.Ritter: Has stouter dark recurved spines. Distribution: Cerro Grande, altitude 300-500 m.

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Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer-growing species of relatively easy cultivation that continues to be, a particular prize among collectors. This plant is extremely xerophytic, adapted to very dry soils and is quite susceptible to over-watering if kept in a non ventilated place.
Growth rate: Slow-growing.
Soil: Grow it in an open mineral, sandy-gritty cactus compost and provide a very good drainage.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best only with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. It has a good heat tolerance.
Watering: Water sparingly and keep it completely dry during winter. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after transplanting so be extremely cautious with watering. Keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) But plants kept perfectly dry can easily survive to winter night temperatures below 0° C.
Pests & diseases: These cacti may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Usually propagated from seeds (seldom produces offsets) or graft. The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Sometimes it is grafted to avoid root rot problems as plants grafted on an hardy stock are easy to grow and no special skill is required.

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Cite this page: "Neoporteria subgibbosa f. litoralis" Text available under a CC-BY-SA Creative Commons Attribution License. www.llifle.com 14 Nov. 2005. 25 Jul 2025. </Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/3266/Neoporteria_subgibbosa_f._litoralis>