Artichoke Cactus

Family

Cactaceae

Native

Mexico

Description

Obregonia is among the most famous of all cacti for is unique artichoke-shaped stem. It is the only representative of its monospecific genus and is related to Ariocarpus. It grows almost always as a solitary plant levelled with the ground, with the sunk and woolly apex. It is considered an intermediate form between Ariocarpus and Lophophora.

Stem are solitary, globular-squashed resembling an inverted pine cone with a woolly centre, it grows up to 15 (or more) cm in diameter and is greyish green to dark green.

Flowers grow between the wool of the apex, in the centre of the stem on young tubercles, they are funnel-shaped white diurnal, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, 2.5-3 cm long. External perianth segments greyish, pericarpel naked or with few scales. Filaments reddish purple or pink, anthers yellow, style white and stigma lobes white.

Environment

Like most cacti they're drought tolerant and need very little care and attention to grow well. Not enough sunlight and over-watering are common mistakes.

Plenty of sunshine will keep this cacti more than happy. In a glass room you may have to provide some shade during a hot summers day to prevent sunburn

Feed every 4 weeks with a Nitrogen-poor and Potassium & Phosphorus-rich fertilizer during summer

Landscape Uses

It is an excellent plant for garden rockery settings, desert type landscapes, patios and botanical gardens