All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Lophophora "caespitosa"
 

(Photo Yannick Gregorn -Slovenia)

The plants called “caespitosa” are vegetatively reproduced and are often  hybrid.

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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific Name: Lophophora forma "caespitosa"  botanist 

Synonym: Lophophora williamsii var. caespitosa Ito nom. inv.

Conservation status: Listed in CITES Appendix II

Etymology: The genus name " Lophophora" derives from the Greek word “Lophos (λοφος)” which means “the back of the neck; the crest of a hill or helmet” and “Phoreo (φορεω)” meaning “to carry, to bring” referring to the tufts of hair that adorn the tubercles of some member of the genus. Plus the latinizing suffix “us”. ( The specific name implies: "bearing crests")
The form name "caespitosa" derives from the Latin word “caespes”  which means “turf” and refers to the dense tufts of basal stems. ( The specific name implies: "growing in tufts or clumps")
 

Also in the wild habitat solitary and clumping plants are both present and It is not a rare event to find a caespitose seedling in the seedling tray among the more common single headed plants. Some of the caespitose clones produce dozens (or hundreds) of very small shoots each of them never reach the dimension of a flowering plant, thus they are sterile and can be reproduced exclusively by cuttings. Other clones have bigger heads and can produce flowers and seeds.
 

(Photo Yannick Gregorn -Slovenia)

Cultivation: Slow growing. Because of the tap root they are very rot prone, so use highly gritty compost with much drainage. Requires half shade to part sun. Watering: waterings should be rather infrequent  to keep the plant compact and not to become excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance, watering it properly is often difficult because this plant tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. The fact that the plant retracts into the soil and assume a grey-green colouring between watering, is perfectly natural and doesn’t cause any damage.
Overwatering: Keep completely dry and cool in winter (An unheated greenhouse would be perfect) or when night temperatures remain below 10° C,  it can survive low temperatures (appr. -7°C)  for a short period. Assure a good ventilation.

Propagation: Easy to propagate from cuttings in spring (let them dry till the ends callous well). Then replant them in fresh cactus soil that is ever so slightly moist, and keep them that way till they root.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Lophophora williamsii  complex (This Taxon has  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):

• L. williamsii
• L. williamsii var. texensis
• L. "KIKKO"
• L. sp.  forma cristata (L. williamsii?)
• L.  jourdaniana ( L. williansii v. jourdaniana ? )
• L. caespitosa ( L. williamsii forma caespitosa ? )

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.