Donate now to support the LLIFLE projects.
Your support is critical to our success.
Echinocactus paraguayensis K.Schum.
Bull. Herb. Boissier II, 3: 252 1903.
Family: CACTACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Gymnocalycium paraguayense (Mundt) Schütz & Moser
Friciana VIII, no. 47: 3- 15 (1972); cf. Rowley in Repert. Pl. Succ. (I. O. S.). 23: 7 (1972 publ. 1974).

Echinocactus paraguayensis (Gymnocalycium paraguayense) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

Synonyms:

See all synonyms of Gymnocalycium paraguayense
back
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Gymnocalycium paraguayense (Mundt) Schütz & Moser
Friciana VIII, no. 47: 3- 15 (1972); cf. Rowley in Repert. Pl. Succ. (I. O. S.). 23: 7 (1972 publ. 1974).
Synonymy: 29 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Gymnocalycium paraguayense f. fleischerianum (F.Haage) Mereg., D.Metzing & R.Kiesling
Candollea 57: 313 2002.
Synonymy: 14
back

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Gymnocalycium paraguayense-fleischerianum group

Accurarated systematics studies based on macromorphology, micromorphology and molecular (RAPD methods), have shown that Gymnocalycium paraguayense (K. Schum.) Hosseus and Gymnocalycium fleischerianum Backeb. (Cactaceae), previously considered as two different species, resulted to be very homogeneous and suggest that all populations should be referred to a single species, composed of two taxa at forma rank. The furrow on the rib between areoles is the main diagnostic character to separate G. paraguayense from G. fleischerianum. However in habitat plants revealed a high intra- and interpopulation level of variability, so that usually only the furrow on the ribs allowed the taxa to be separated; however, in a few single plants even this character is not reliable. Often the plants attributed to G. paraguayense grow in less shallow soil and have a rather flat stem, while those referred to G. fleischerianum are found in shallow soil at the margin of rocky outcrops, where they have a more rounded stem. The general aspect of the plants from each population is usually more or less characteristic.

  • Gymnocalycium paraguayense (Mundt) Schütz & Moser: (f. paraguayense) has 8-9 ribs divided into noticeable tubercles and 3 to 9 (mostly 5) radial spines. It is an extremly variable species. Furrow on the rib between areoles present.
  • Gymnocalycium paraguayense f. fleischerianum (F.Haage) Mereg., D.Metzing & R.Kiesling: It has more spines (up to 9 or more per areole), somewhat curved and close to the often rounder body. Furrow on the rib between areoles absent.
  • Gymnocalycium vieditzianum Piltz: It distinguish for the grey-bronzed epidermis and shallow tubercles; It has typically 5 spines.

28008 alexander Alexander Arzberger
Echinocactus paraguayensis (Gymnocalycium paraguayense) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger
28049 alexander Alexander Arzberger
Echinocactus paraguayensis (Gymnocalycium paraguayense) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

28060 alexander Alexander Arzberger
Echinocactus paraguayensis (Gymnocalycium paraguayense) Photo by: Alexander Arzberger
Send a photo of this plant.

The gallery now contains thousands of pictures, however it is possible to do even more. We are, of course, seeking photos of species not yet shown in the gallery but not only that, we are also looking for better pictures than those already present. Read More...


Your Actions
Echinocactus Back to Echinocactus index
Cactaceae Back to Cactaceae index
Cacti Back to Cacti Encyclopedia index