BCSS - Forum

I have a plant that I got from Rene with the following on the label anyone know anymore about it
Pterocactus spec.nova
NEUQUEN 700m BAJADA DEL AGRO

Elisabeth & Norbert Sarnes' species?
Pterocactus neuquensis
https://www.ipni.org/n/77157412-1

I did wonder if it was there plant but as there wasn’t a collection number
Thanks Tony I will update the label

There are records in Ralph's database from Bajada del Agrio for P. valentinii and P. fischeri as well as a couple of 'sp.'. If you look at the distribution maps in Elisabeth & Norbert's book, P. tuberosus, P. neuquensis and possibly P. araucanus could all be from here, though it's difficult to be sure due to the map resolution.

In the TSG journal Tephrocactus (2011, 17(1), 12) there is mention of a "Pterocactus spec. nova JL 101 WG 471 Neuquen 700m High Bajada del Agno" [sic] and JL101 is listed in Ralph's database as 'sp.' collected in 1983 but elsewhere in Tephrocactus (2003, 9(4), 600) as P. araucanus. I think it's likely that this is your plant as René had given it a WG number.

In their description of P. neuquensis, E&N recognise that plants of their new species have been in cultivation for a long time as P. araucanus so Lambert's plant could be misidentified.

Has your plant flowered? Assuming P. tuberosus, P. valentinii and P. fischeri can be ruled out then the position of the flower on the stem would resolve the plants identity.

It dawned on me later that Lambert might've illustrated JL101 in his book, and he did. Is this your plant? https://www.cactuspro.com/lecture/Lambe ... 61.en.html

Hello,

Chris, a picture of your plant would help to solve the problem.

We have been around Bajada del Agrio several times and all Pterocacti that we found there were either P. valentinii or P. fischeri. We have never seen P. neuquensis or P. tuberosus in that area. The most northern distribution of P. araucanus that we know is more than 50 km south of Zapala, i.e. more than 100 km south of Bajada del Agrio. Thus P. araucanus is highly improbable.
The picture of JL 101 shows Pterocactus valentinii.

Norbert

At the time I got two or three cuttings of both the plant you mention Phil and I potted them up separately but all I can find for definite is the two in the picture with Rene’s labels in I have two plant near that look similar but the labels have faded My plants have been a bit neglected for the last 3/4 years due to family health issues

OK! Neither P. araucanus nor P. neuquensis - looks very much like P. valentinii.

Norbert

These are the two other plants I mentioned they look the the same to me but I’m no expert