This choice, usually solitary cactus resembles a miniature ferocactus with 24-40 ribs, comparable to a number of species in that genus of larger barrel-shaped cacti. Even the spines are scaled down, though they are more appressed against the stems, which in age can take on the rumpled, sagging look of a mature ferocactus. This comparison breaks down when one gets beyond the superficial vegetative form. If the flowers were comparably reduced they would be only ⅛ inch across. In fact they are brilliant yellow to orange and an inch and a half of more, dwarfing the stems. HBG 98576, plants grown from controlled pollination of Walter Rausch 127, a population with red-blushed stems, from near Famatina, La Rioja, Argentina. Spegazzini’s original spelling, famatimensis, with an “m”, is considered an orthographical error. $8.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 81 (2), March - April, 2009