Maihueniopsis darwinii

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Tue May 12, 2015 4:59 am

I tried for several years to grow this particular form of cactus from Bolivia or Argentina. It grows into a huge bunch at high elevations.

: peruopuntia.jpg (105.01 KiB) Viewed 1631 times

Maihueniopsis darwinii or a related variety.( From Mesa Garden.) I will post the flowers in a few days-maybe.
Charles

phil_SK · Post by **phil_SK** » Tue May 12, 2015 5:24 am

It looks like Maihueniopsis darwinii, an Argentinian plant.

Post by **DaveW** » Tue May 12, 2015 8:53 am

Try the Tephrocactus Study Group, they may identify it for you:-

http://tephro.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's a free to join organisation now since they have gone online rather than being a previously subscription based society.

roddimmitt · Post by **roddimmitt** » Tue May 12, 2015 12:37 pm

Charles . . . very pretty! I can't wait to see the flowers!

vlani · Post by **vlani** » Tue May 12, 2015 11:18 pm

Looks a lot like Maihueniopsis darwinii but probably Maihueniopsis glomeratus, given the location.

phil_SK · Post by **phil_SK** » Wed May 13, 2015 5:25 am

I've never seen any reports of Maihueniopsis in Peru, inc. glomerata.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Wed May 13, 2015 7:39 pm

Yes, those names jogged my memory.

I got it from Mesa g. about four yrs. ago. Look at this flower !!!

: peru9y.jpg (54.73 KiB) Viewed 1568 times

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Wed May 13, 2015 8:07 pm

Oh. I think it is Maihueniopsis boliviana from Bolivia. But There are 'bout four varieties. Note the stem in the center of the flower. That might ID it.

phil_SK · Post by **phil_SK** » Wed May 13, 2015 8:19 pm

The stem segments, which you've shown more clearly in your second photo (even if only a tiny bit in the corner of the photo) are more useful for identification than the flowers. The round, slightly sunken areoles without prominent glochid tufts are seen really only in Maihueniopsis ovata and darwinii. The segements are too large for ovata, leaving only M. darwinii. You should compare your plant with the many photos of M. darwinii online to convince yourself.

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Wed May 13, 2015 10:41 pm

Mesa Garden lists these:

Maihueniopsis, /3,6,12,16-17/ mound forming
551.9291-boliviana huge thick taproot, fat round stems
551.92919-boliviana DJF473 s. Iglesia, long white spines
551.9292-boliviana DJF246 w Tafi del Valle
551.92920-boliviana DJF319 Lora Huasi, Catam, super long yellow sp
551.92921-boliviana DJF247 w Tafi del Valle
551.92947-darwinii DJF355 Comodoro Rivadaria
551.92948-darwinii /17/ Churiaca, Neuq, flat white sp
551.92949-darwinii DJF225 Pto Pyramides, shiny golden spines
551.9296-darwinii v hickenii DJF228 Sierra Grande, Rio Negro
551.92965-darwinii v hickenii DJF224 La Lonja, Chubut
551.92968-dimorphus stacked round stems, long brown sp
551.9298-glomerata /17/ fat rounded stems, taproot, yellow fl
551.9299-glomerata DJF176 e. Uspallata, Mendoza
551.93-glomerata DJF178 Polvaredas, Mendoza, dark orange flowers
551.9301-glomerata DJF177 Uspallata, Mendoza
551.931-glomerata DJF175 Terma Villavicencio
551.9312-glomerata 'russellii' DJF181 Potrillos, Mend
551.94-glomeratus OST86036 /17/ fat taproot, clusters of fingers
551.9457-nigrispina DJF289 n Humahuaca, Jujuy
551.946-nigrispina DJF448 w La Quiaca, Jujuy
551.9469-pentlandii MLV30 Rio Toro Valley 3500m
551.947-russellii /17./ mat forming, dense oval stems, taproot
551.9471-subinermis /17/ mound forming, fat green stems

I only buy those from him that are listed as 17.

I now see in my garden another Maihueniopsis with a bud. It may flower tomorrow. The Maihueniopsis grow and divide here (Sparks NV) easily with the excepting of the currently blooming one.

vlani · Post by **vlani** » Thu May 14, 2015 2:13 am

Must be darwinii. Looks like it anyways. May be darwinii v. hickenii