Accepted Scientific Name: Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke
Ferocactus horridus f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke (Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Ferocactus peninsulae
Description: The standard Ferocactus peninsulaeSN|11977]]SN|11977]] f. brevispinus is a solitary fast growing barrel ribbed cactus that differs from the type species in having a much shorter and stocky central spine (not enough to call it hooked!). The strange and very rare cv. Artichoke - Ferocactus peninsulaeSN|11977]]SN|11977]] f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke - has peculiar spine less stems, in which each areole is located at the top of a rounded podarium, and is subtended by a fat triangular vestigial leaf. These podaria are imbricaded and form a nice spiralling pattern on the stem looking like an Obregonia denegriiSN|2100]]SN|2100]] or a fat green Artichoke.
Stem: Round.
Spines: Absent.
Flower: Not seen
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Ferocactus peninsulae/wislizenii complex
This Taxon has various synonyms whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics:
- Ferocactus gracilis H.E.Gates: (subsp. gracilis) has stems up to 1 m in tall and has central spines less than 5 mm wide.Distribution: northern central Baja California.
- Ferocactus gracilis subs. coloratus (H.E.Gates) N.P.Taylor: Usually less than 1 m tall but the widest central spines often exceed 5 mm. Distribution: south of subspecies gracilis.
- Ferocactus gracilis subs. gatesii (G.E.Linds.) N.P.Taylor: Up to 1,5 m tall, and the central spines are curved but not hooked and only 3 mm wide. Distribution: Bahia de los Angeles in the gulf of California (Smith Islands group in the Sea of Cortez)
- Ferocactus horridus Britton & Rose
- Ferocactus peninsulae (F.A.C.Weber) Britton & Rose: (subsp. peninsulae) has 4 central spines, forming a cross. Principal central spine flattened and strongly hooked, flowers over 5 cm long, outer periant segments spatulate. Plant somewhat allways taller than broad. Distribution: Baja California.
- Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus (Chinned type): has very odd chinned ribs.
- Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus cristatus hort.: Crested form.
- Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus hort.: short spined form.
- Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke: spineless form remembering in shape an Obregonia denegrii.
- Ferocactus peninsulae subs. santa-maria (Britton & Rose) Pilbeam & Bowdery: has yellow flowers, principal central spine straight or slightly curved. Plant somewhat conical, taller than broad. Distribution: Southern Baja California.
- Ferocactus peninsulae subs. townsendianus (Britton & Rose) Pilbeam & Bowdery: has orange or red flowers, principal central spine strongly hooked. Plant somewhat conical, taller than broad. Distribution: Baja California (Magdalena Plain, Santa Margarita, Magdalena Islands).
- Ferocactus peninsulae subs. viscainensis (H.E.Gates) F.Wolf & R.Wolf: has 4 central spines, forming a cross. Plant to 1,5 m tall and 3 dm wide. Ribs 13-21. Distribution: Baja california norte.
Ferocactus horridus f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke (Ferocactus peninsulae f. brevispinus cv. Artichoke) Photo by: Cactus Art 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... Cultivation and Propagation: It is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is usually seen as a grafted plant but can grow on its own roots too.
Soil: Use a mineral well permeable soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Exposure: They need a good amount of light shade to full sun this help to keep the plants healthy, although slow growth.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October (weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough), with a little fertilizer added. Less or no water during cold winter months, or when night temperatures remain below 10° to prevent root loss. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone).
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is relatively cold resistant and hardy to -5° C, or possibly colder for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 9-11)
Crested growth: Unlike 'monstrose' varieties of plants, where the variation from normal growth is due to genetic mutation, crested growth can occur on normal plants. Sometimes it's due to variances in light intensity, or damage, but generally the causes are unknown. A crested plant may have some areas growing normally, and a cresting plant that looks like a brain, may revert to normal growth for no apparent reason. If you have any of the crested part left you need to remove the normal growth and leave the crested part behind this will need to be done regularly.
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings. Plants are usually grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather).