First distributed by the ISI as # 182 in 1958, this species has become more widely available only in recent years. It was often confused with E. cante until that species was described as a distinct entity in 1970. The resemblance of the two is superficial; both have glaucous leaves with a colored margin. However, the leaves of E. subrigida are usually less chalky-white than in E. cante (and can even be green in the synonymous E. palmeri), are channeled and have more distinct, reddish, slightly undulate margins than the flatter, pinkish-margined leaves of E. cante. E. subrigida is native to several central Mexican states, while E. cante is restricted to Zacatecas slightly further to the northwest. We offer HBG 104735, second generation plants from seed originally collected in the state of Mexico, in Tultenango Canyon west of Atlacomulco where it grows with Mammillaria pringlei. $6.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 83 (2), March - April, 2011