^{(Photograph = Gymnocalycium saglionis)}

Introduction

Gymnocalycium is a genus of South American cacti that make great hobby plants. Many are cold and neglect tolerant, and most of them are great pot plants. They tend to make single globes that bloom easily in spring. The many species have flowers of varied colors; often they are exquisite pastels. Most species are found in Argentina.

The Details

There is controversy over how many species of Gymnocalycium there actually are, but this is a common feature in the Cactaceae. Many accounts list about 70 species. Six subgenera have been recognized: Gymnocalycium, Macrosemineum, Microsemineum, Mustosemineum, Pirisemineum, and Trichomosemineum. The plants are often dusty green or even brown in habitat. Sometimes they have amazing spines that encircle the globe and some species are essentially spineless.

Additional Reading: Gymnocalycium book

Gymnocalycium ragonesei

Gymnocalycium quehlianum, areoles showing “chins”

Gymnocalycium mostii

Gymnocalycium alboareolatum with flower buds, in gravel

Gymnocalycium kieslingii, flower

Gymnocalycium schickendantzii, Argentina