CactiGuide.com
cactus pictures




Cactus Family                                                                                                
CactiGuide.com Custom Nomenclature - System Default    About This | Login
Notes for the Genus:

Tephrocactus

Etymology - From the Greek word for ashes -tephra referring to the ash-colored stems.
Tephrocactus is a small genus in the subfamily Opuntioideae which is endemic to Argentina. Like other members of this group, Tephrocactus does have glochids, however, they are uniquely sunken into the areoles in this genus. Spines may be long, dense and needle-like or thin and papery or absent. The stems grow in very distinct segments, but unlike the flat-pads found on the genus Opuntia, the segments of Tephrocactus are round. This can be either in short cylinders, egg shaped, or even spherical. Thes segments typically grow in a slightly zig-zagged stack. Flowers are white in most species or pinkish, sometimes yellow, and in one case red.

Some species in this genus are very popular in cultivation. Grown for their alien-looking stems and dramatic spines. Flowers are less common in cultivation as the segments often detach with the slightest touch. Plants that are only a couple segments high tend not to flower. As such, a flowering Tephrocactus is a special delight to the hobbyist.

Click on one of the species below for more info.

Tephrocactus alexanderi

Tephrocactus alexanderi


     27 images

View Details

Tephrocactus aoracanthus

Tephrocactus aoracanthus


     2 images

View Details

Tephrocactus articulatus

Tephrocactus articulatus


     40 images

Taxa Included:
   T. articulatus -
21 images

   T. articulatus oligacanthus -
10 images

   T. articulatus papyracanthus -
6 images

   T. articulatus diadematus -
3 images


View Details

Tephrocactus geometricus

Tephrocactus geometricus


     18 images

View Details

Tephrocactus molinensis

Tephrocactus molinensis


     11 images

View Details

Tephrocactus weberi

Tephrocactus weberi


     35 images

Taxa Included:
   T. weberi -
32 images

   T. weberi deminutus -
3 images


View Details

*Currently 6 of 6 known species in this genus are represented on CactiGuide.com.
You are Viewing Page 1 of 1
© 2002-2022, CactiGuide.com All rights reserved.