Gymnocalycium baldianum, the spider-cactus or dwarf chin cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to the Catamarca Province in Argentina.
| Gymnocalycium baldianum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Gymnocalycium |
| Species: | G. baldianum
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| Binomial name | |
| Gymnocalycium baldianum Speg., 1905
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| Synonyms | |
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Description
editIt is a globose cactus, spherical or a little flat, with a diameter up to 8 cm, dark gray-green to blue-green in color, or sometimes brown, depressed, spherical shoots and reaches heights of 4 to 10 centimeters with diameters of 6 to 7 centimeters. It has 8 to 10 ribs with tubercle-shaped areoles, covered in groups of 6 to 8 pale grey, curved spines, giving to the species its common name of spider-cactus. Like many cacti, it does not divide but may form offsets after some years.There are no central spines. The five to seven gray or brown marginal thorns are thin, lie on the surface of the shoot and are up to 1.5 centimeters long.
The funnel-shaped flowers reach a diameter of 6 cm, growing near the apex of the plant and are red, pink or orange. Flowers are 3 to 5 centimeters long and reach the same diameter. The dark gray-green fruits are spindle-shaped. [2][3]
Distribution
editGymnocalycium baldianum is widespread in the Argentine province of Catamarca at altitudes of 1000 to 2000 meters.
Taxonomy
editThe first description as Echinocactus baldianus was made in 1905 by Carlos Luis Spegazzini.[4] The specific epithet baldianum honors J. Baldi, an acquaintance and supporter of Carlos Luis Spegazzini. In 1925 he placed the species in the genus Gymnocalycium.[5]
Cultivation
editGymnocalycium baldianum is easy to grow. It needs a well-drained soil. In summer, water the plants well, but let them to dry before watering again. Use monthly a fertilizer for cacti.[2] In winter, keep it dry, and the temperature may be as low as −10 °C (14 °F), but it is better to keep it without frost. The exposure must be sunny in summer and at least brightly lit in winter.
This species has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]
Gallery
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References
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- ^ Perea, M.; Trevisson, M. (2017). "Gymnocalycium baldianum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152213A121526773. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152213A121526773.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
- ^ a b "'Gymnocalycium baldianum". Cactus Art Nursery. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 311. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
- ^ Aires., Museo Nacional de Buenos (1905). "Anales del Museo Nacional de Buenos Aires". Impr. de Juan A. Alsina. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ^ Argentina, Sociedad Científica; Cient&, Congreso; Americano, fico Latino; Cient&, Congreso (1925). "Anales de la Sociedad Científica Argentina". [Sociedad Científica Argentina]. ISSN 0037-8437. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Gymnocalycium baldianum". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
External links
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Media related to Gymnocalycium baldianum at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Gymnocalycium baldianum at Wikispecies
