^{(Photograph = Tephrocactus molinensis)}

Introduction

Tephrocactus is a unique genus of cacti from Argentina. Like other cacti with glochids, Tephrocactus was once considered to belong to the genus Opuntia.

The Details

Anderson (2001) describes six species of Tephrocactus. All of them share a unique stem structure that is characterized best by Tephrocactus articulatus. The cladodes are globe-shaped and often sit one atop the other. The clododes are “fragile” and can fall off the plant. T. alexanderi (T. geometricus) is a particularly beautiful example of the genus.

At least one Tephrocactus species has extrafloral nectaries (glands where nectar is produced) that provide food for ants.

T. articulatus is reasonably easy to grow in culture; it is tolerant of too much water and mild frosts. However, if overwatered, the cladodes resemble long pine cones rather than the globe-shaped cladodes seen in the desert.  A variant of T. articulatus (var papyracanthus) has long papery spines and is also easy to grow.

Additional Reading: Subgenus Tephrocactus, 1973