= Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.
Cactus (Paris) no. 39: 31. 1954
Accepted Scientific Name: Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
Dict. Hort. [Bois] 2: 804. 1898 Britton & Rose, Cactaceae, 3: 93, fig. 102. 1922 Bois
Epithelantha rufispina (Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Apical spines in mature plants take a reddish tinge, especially if wet.
Origin and Habitat: Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] var. rufispina is found in abundance from Parras de la Fuente to south of Saltillo in the state of Coahuila, Mexico.
Habitat: It grows in the shelter of bushes and grasses and is a bit difficult to spot in its half- hidden location.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Epithelantha micromeris
Description: Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] var. rufispina is a minute globular button cactus, becoming somewhat elongated when old. A dainty plant, and an easy one to handle. The short spines of this little cactus are appressed to its body and so do not puncture your hands.
Stem: Solitary, up to 10 cm tall, but at times has offsets at the base. The appressed apex contains many reddish spines. The stem becomes quite dehydrated during drought, but fills out quickly.
Spines: 30-40 all radials, greyish-white in young specimens, turning to a grey-reddish or brownish tinge in adult plants crown, while the rest of the spines on the body of the plant are greyish.
Flowers: Small cream-pink coloured, emerging from the wool at the apex.
Blooming season Flowers start open from April in succession over a longer time later in summer.
Fruits: Oblong to clavate, red, edible, referred to as "chilitos" or little chili peppers. Their taste is tart, however, and not peppery.
Taxonomy: Dr. Helia Bravo first described this cactus in 1951 as Epithelantha rufispinaSN|12633]]SN|12633]]. Backeberg in 1954 found it to be a variety of Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] and called it E. micromeris var. rufispina.
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Epithelantha micromeris group
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois: Miniature globose cactus, unbranched or in small clumps. Produces small pink flowers followed by attractive red fruits . Spines are white or greysh, innocuous and appressed on sides of stems.- Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata hort.: This is a miniature cactus that makes a nice and tangled cluster of fine crests. The stem surface is completely obscured by small pectinated ashy-grey to white spines.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. dickisoniae hort.: Minute clustering cactus of doubtful status (but common in cultivation), it shows similarities with Epithelantha micromeris subsp. polycephala and Epithelantha pachyrhiza. Spines are whitish turning to a brownish tinge in adult plant's crown. Roots: Tuberose.
- Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata (Backeb.) Bravo: It has elongated stems and a thick tap-root. It is intermediate between E. micromeris and E. pachyrhiza. Distribution: Ramos Arispe, Coahuila, Mexico.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor: This subspecies has a rough, somewhat bristly appearance with iIndividual stems up to 5 cm or more in diameter,. Spines are chalky white to reddish brown. Distribution: Northern Mexico, especially Saltillo, Coahuila.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii f. cristata: crested form.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. neomexicana n.n.: This is the population found in New Mexico (USA) but this taxon is not easily recognizable from other Epitelantha micromeris (if not the same identical plant)
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor: It has tuberousroots and a stem only partly obscured by the white to orange-tan spines; Distribution: Strictly endemic of southeast and northeast of Saltillo.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza f. cristata
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass: Clustering miniature cactus; an old plant may have more than 100 heads, and be 10 cm of diameter. Spines are grey/whitish, pastel or ocre. Distribution: it occurs in a limited area of Coahuila.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.: Minute globular cactus, becoming somewhat elongated when old. the spines are numerose up to 40 whitish all radials, turning to a grey-reddish or brownish tinge in adult plants crown. The spine base is reddish.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis n.n.: This is the population found in Texas (USA) but this taxon is not easily recognizable from other Epitelantha micromeris (if not the same identical plant)
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis f. cristata hort.: Crested form.
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor: It is a little larger than the standard form. Stem globular, up to 6 cm, often clumping over time. It generally has a small projecting black-tipped central spine, 4-5mm long. Origin: Near Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, south into San Luis Potosi.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985
2) Curt Backeberg "Das Kakteenlexikon", 1966
3) Saguaroland Bulletin, Volumi 26-27, page 40, Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society, 1972
Epithelantha rufispina (Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina) Photo by: Carolina González
Epithelantha rufispina (Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina) Photo by: Cactus Art
Epithelantha rufispina (Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina) Photo by: Cactus Art
Epithelantha rufispina (Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina) Photo by: Carolina GonzálezCultivation and Propagation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy. Needs a soil mix particularly well draining (rot prone). Water sparingly and keep perfectly dry in winter. Hardy to -7°C
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Propagation: Seeds, offsets.
