BCSS - Forum

This cactus came with an identification label of Tephrocactus hickbergensis 2018 DianeD offsets. Hoping someone in the TSG can assist with identification or references as to whether this is a valid species, as I can't find any mention online, or perhaps someone knows DianeD, who I cannot find in our membership directory. I enclose a picture of my plant, hoping this helps.

The easy bit: that's not a valid species name. Nor is the plant a Tephrocactus in today's concept of the genus (as in last week's Zoom meeting). It looks like it's a Tunilla... however, I'm loathe to suggest a species identification in what is probably the most poorly understood cactus genus. Tunilla sp.

Phil_SK wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 4:39 pm The easy bit: that's not a valid species name. Nor is the plant a Tephrocactus in today's concept of the genus (as in last week's Zoom meeting). It looks like it's a Tunilla... however, I'm loathe to suggest a species identification in what is probably the most poorly understood cactus genus. Tunilla sp.

Thank you, Phil. I shall relabel this plant as Tunilla spp. I miswrote the name on the label appearing after the date of 2018. It should have read as Geraldine D. I think I picked this cactus up in an assorted cacti tray I purchased from Chris L.

Tunilla /Airapoa sp it may be , but from that photo it could also be a Corynopuntia, just a thought ?

I think I may be on the right track in finding an identification for my mystery Opuntiad. After more sleuthing, I have found a reference to Maihueniopsis darwinii var hickenii MK584. There is a business in Bulgaria that has it available for sale. I may order one to make a comparison with mine.

babytoes1956 wrote: ↑Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:55 pm Maihueniopsis darwinii var hickenii MK584.

Cretainly, not that.

I too Ray thought it had a passing resemblance to corynopuntia.

Easy to tell in the flesh, but photos can be deceptive.

Well to be totally honest before reading anything else I thought a undernourished bulbispina (didn't know how best to put it)

I don't know about undernourished Chris but certainly grown in poor light, I think Corynopuntia would be a good place to start and Corynopuntia bulbispina is a good call Chris.
Babytoes if you could post a better picture, we might be able to nail it for you.

I have continued my detective work on the cactus yet to be identified, and I may be closer to the holy grail. I humbly offer Pterocactus hickenii, named after Cristóbal María Hicken, an Argentian botanist who had experience with the grass plains of Argentina. I defer to the TSG, in advance.

Nope not a Pterocactus.