Image of Austrocactus spiniflorus
Region Metropolitana, Parque Nacional El Morado, Chile
Altitude: 1820-1900 m. 11 13, 2006
Species: | Austrocactus spiniflorus (Phil.) Ritter | |
Family: | Cactaceae | |
Order: | Caryophyllales | |
Chilean Name: | Espinifloro | |
English Name: | ||
German Name: | ||
Russian Name: |
Record: | 0521 |
About 3 Austrocactus in Chile and 2 in our data base. | |
About 164 Cactaceae in Chile and 67 in our data base. |
|
|
Endemic Rare
Height: 8 cm. Good ornamental value (A) |
SILENCE KILLS...Civilized Human Beings can not be Silent Accomplices to Murder and War CrimesDid you know that: |
INTRODUCTIONThis rare cactus, together with the even more scarce Austrocactus philippii, is one of the most cold-resistent cactus of Chile. |
Image of Austrocactus spiniflorus Region Metropolitana, Parque Nacional El Morado, Chile
|
DESCRIPTIONPlant type: Shrub Flower: Yellow, 7 - 14 petals Height: 8 cm.
|
Image of Austrocactus spiniflorus Region Metropolitana, Parque Nacional El Morado, Chile
|
HABITATIn Chile this species grows in the following environmental conditions:
Habitat according to altitude: High altitude close to the timber line
Watering conditions: Humid areas, with almost constant rainfall. Short dry periods are possible (generally not longer than 1 month).
Light conditions: Fully exposed to the sun. Level areas or slopes facing north.
It grows in a few locations in Region Metropolitana (capital city of Chile) at altitudes of about 1700-2500 m. It prefers flat, non-rocky, open places where the water from the thawing snow can stay for longer periods of time. It is covered by snow for short periods (about 1 - 2 months). Its temperature range in summer is about +0º / 25º C and in winter about - 10º / +3º C. |
Image of Austrocactus spiniflorus Region Metropolitana, Parque Nacional El Morado, Chile
|
USESGood ornamental value (A)
Due to its cold resistance, it can be a very interesting ornamental plant for outdoor cultivation for places like Great Britain. |
Image of Austrocactus spiniflorus Region Metropolitana, Parque Nacional El Morado, Chile
|
GROWING TIPSThis species has the following hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zone 8. The plant tolerates low temperatures (-8° C), can tolerate occasional snow cover for up to a couple of weeks per year.
Would definitively need some protection against the sun, and possibly against elevated temperatures (+25 º C is probably the safe maximum). If you are interested in purchasing seeds of this or similar species, please go to our On-line Seeds Shop. |
More photos (1) of Austrocactus spiniflorus (Phil.) Ritter available here |