Thelocephala weisseri

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Thelocephala weisseri (A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter) Faúndez & Saldivia
Gayana, Bot. 68(2): 317. 2011
Family: CACTACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter
Cact. Fl. Silvestre Chile ed. 2 258 (-259; fig. 96b). 2004 [Dec 2004] A.E.Hoffm.

Thelocephala weisseri (Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

Origin and Habitat: Caleta Cifuncho, near the coast, Región de Antofagasta, Prov. Antofagasta, Chile.
Altitude range: Around 500 metres above sea level.
Habitat and ecology: Eriosyce odieriSN|2824]]SN|2824]] var. weisseri grows along the rocky and very arid coastline. The long tuberous root is buried deeply in these soils which are very poor in organic matter. In the area where these plants grow there is very little rain but frequent coastal fog, which provides a significant part of their water needs.

Synonyms:

Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter

Thelocephala weisseri (A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter) Faúndez & Saldivia

See all synonyms of Eriosyce odieri

Description: Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri is a name used to describe a geographical form of Eriosyce odieriSN|2833]]SN|2824]] growing considerably further north than even Eriosyce esmeraldanaSN|2647]]SN|2647]]. The species has a long carrot like root and is similar to both Eriosyce krausiiSN|2824]]SN|2833]] and Eriosyce malleolata, but the differences are pretty subtle and they are not readily distinguishable if not for the geographical provenance. This Eriosyce is the more northern species of the of the Thelocephala group.

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

Eriosyce odieri (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) Katt.: Stems 3-5 cm in diameter and only radial spines that are not flattened against the surface. Distribution: only found in the habitat of Morro Copiapo a solitary mountain alongside the sea 10 km south of Caldera.
Eriosyce odieri subs. fulva (F.Ritter) Katt.: Stems only 2-3 cm wide with very small tubercles. Distribution: East of Totoral.
Eriosyce odieri subs. glabrescens (F.Ritter) Katt.: Stems only 2-3 cm in diameter with nearly spineless large tubercles. Distribution: Border between Morro Copiapo and Huasco.
Eriosyce odieri subs. krausii (F.Ritter) Ferryman: Small 2 to 4 cm Ø, somewhat flattened, red-brown to grey-green. Distribution: North of Caldera, Atacama, to Cifuncho, Antofagasta, Chile.
Eriosyce odieri var. malleolata (F.Ritter) A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter: Distribution: North of Chañaral on the coast.
Eriosyce odieri var. monte-amargensis Katt.: Distribution: Monte Amargo, 30 km suth-east of Caldera.
Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri A.E.Hoffm. & Helmut Walter: This is the more northern species of the of the Thelocephala group. Distribution: Caleta Cifuncho, Antofagasta, Chile.

More...

Thelocephala weisseri (Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

Thelocephala weisseri (Eriosyce odieri var. weisseri) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer grower species. Easy to cultivate but somewhat rot prone if kept in a non ventilated place. Requires a very fast draining drying soil Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater.
Needs a full sun exposure (or light shade) Good heat tolerance. Hardy to at down to -5°C for brief periods.
Propagation: Usually propagated from Seeds. (seldom produces offsets)

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Cite this page: "Thelocephala weisseri" Text available under a CC-BY-SA Creative Commons Attribution License. www.llifle.com 14 Nov. 2005. 03 Jun 2025. </Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/33257/Thelocephala_weisseri>