Synonyms:

Lobivia thionantha v. Brevispina (Ritt.) Rausch
Echinopsis thionantha v brevispina
Echinopsis brevispina (F. Ritter) H. Friedrich & GD Rowley 1974
Acanthocalycium brevispinum F. Ritter 1964

Habitat:

The Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. brevispinus is native to the mountainous regions of Argentina, particularly the provinces of Catamarca, La Rioja, and San Juan. These areas are characterized by semi-arid and arid climates, with large temperature ranges between day and night.. It is located at altitudes that generally vary between 1000 and 2000 meters above sea level. It grows on rocky and well-drained soils, often between the cracks of the rocks and on mountain slopes. The soil is generally poor in nutrients, sandy or gravelly.. The climate is dry, with hot summers and cold winters. Precipitation is scarce and irregular, mainly concentrated during the summer. In its natural habitat, it receives a lot of sunlight, which is crucial for its growth and flowering.

Description:

The name of this family of plants literally means “barbed calyx” (from the Greek ákantha, spina, and cályx, calice). The scales on the floral tube and ovary are in fact modified into spines.
The stem of Acanthocalycium thionanthum var. brevispinus can be spherical or cylindrical depending on the age of the specimen, it is light green or green-blue. It has woolly areoles on the ribs of the plant from which radial and central spines emerge, of a color ranging from white to black.
The spines, although short, protect the cactus from herbivores and help create a microclimate around the plant, reducing water evaporation.
The flowers of this variety are generally bright yellow, but can vary slightly in hues, from a lighter yellow to a more intense yellow.
Its flowers are bell-shaped and can reach remarkable dimensions compared to the body of the cactus itself, creating a visually spectacular and attractive contrast. Flowering typically occurs during the warm season, often in the spring or summer, when light and temperature conditions are optimal for the plant.

Cultivation:

It is not among the most demanding plants regarding the soil: it is sufficient that it is clayey-sandy and draining, so you can use the classic mix for cacti, choosing also pots that are deep enough to accommodate its taproot and drilled to allow the escape of excess water. An excessive humidity, due to inadequate atmospheric conditions or to too abundant waterings, would in fact risk to rot its roots.
You can place it both in indoor and outdoor spaces, provided that they are very bright and, possibly, ventilated.
During the vegetative period, which corresponds to the good season, water your Acanthocalycium regularly, but do not overdo it (otherwise, the roots risk to rot); in winter, spend the watering: if kept dry, does not fear temperatures below 0 ºC.
If it is attacked by cochineal and red spiders, treat it immediately with an antiparasitic.
Following these few indications, you will hardly find yourself facing cochineal and red spiders, the most common pests of this cactus.

Propagation:

You can propagate your Acanthocalycium in spring by seed: it will take up to two weeks for it to sprout, and you will have to start gradually removing the glass cover when the seedlings are well rooted; keep them in a well-ventilated place and do not expose them to full sunlight. Plant the seed in a sandy loam and maintain a high level of humidity and a temperature of about 14 ºC.

Curiosity:

The specific epithet “thionanthum” in Greek means ‘sulphurous yellow flowers’ and refers to bright yellow flowers.

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www.giromagi.com

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www.giromagicactus.com

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