Notocactus scopa f. xiphacanthus

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Notocactus scopa f. xiphacanthus (W.R.Abraham) N.Gerloff & Neduchal
Internoto 24(3-4): 61. 2003
Family: CACTACEAE

Accepted Scientific Name: Parodia scopa (Spreng.) N.P.Taylor
Bradleya 5: 93. 1987

Notocactus scopa f. xiphacanthus Photo by: Alexander Arzberger

Origin and Habitat: Notocactus scopaSN|15901]]SN|15901]] var. xiphacanthus is a micro endemic form, found only on a very isolated hill north of Minas Dept. Lavalleja, Uruguay.
Habitat and ecology: The plants grow in crevices on very steep, partially inaccessible rocks. The substrate is acidic (pH 5.3), no other cacti grows at the site.

Synonyms:

Notocactus scopa f. xiphacanthus (W.R.Abraham) N.Gerloff & Neduchal

Notocactus scopa var. xiphacanthus W.R.Abraham

See all synonyms of Parodia scopa

Description: Notocactus scopaSN|15901]]SN|15901]] fa xiphacanthus is one of the morphological or local forms of Notocactus scopaSN|15901]]SN|15901]] distinguished by larger stems with fewer ribs and usually a long, dark, sword-shaped central spine. Also the flowers are somewhat larger. This variety has a great variability at the site.
Stem: Up to 60 cm long, 11 cm in diameter, epidermis blue-green.
Ribs: 19-23, flat, about 3 mm high, straight to slightly turned.
Radial spines: About 30, white, 4-6 mm long.
Central spines: 1-5, but usually only one, upright, up to 35 mm long, dark brown, occasionally light brown. In habitat at the type site about 30% of the plants have more than one central spine. In these plants, the central spines stand side by side, and are usually lighter in colour, shorter and sometimes indistinguishable from the radials.
Flowers: 40 mm long, 50 mm wide, buds and basal part of the flower covered with grey wool, petals yellow, lanceolate. Self-sterile.
Seeds: In this variety the seeds have bigger testa cells.

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Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Parodia scopa group

Notocactus scopa f. cobrensis (N.Gerloff) N.Gerloff & Neduchal: has dark-red central spines and shorter white spines and wool around. It is very slow growing. Distribution: Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
Notocactus scopa var. murielii Hofacker: has silvery spined stems. Distribution: Uruguay.
Notocactus scopa f. xicoi (W.R.Abraham) N.Gerloff & Neduchal: has fewer ribs and fewer spines. Particularly striking are the numerous purple brown central spines. Distribution: Pedras Altas and Herval, Rio Grand do Sul, Brazil.
Notocactus scopa f. xiphacanthus (W.R.Abraham) N.Gerloff & Neduchal: has larger stems with fewer ribs and usually a long, dark, sword-shaped central spine. Distribution: Minas, Lavalleja, Uruguay.
Parodia scopa (Spreng.) N.P.Taylor: has stems with 30-40 ribs, about 4 central spines, and 40 or more radials. Distribution: Southern Brazil and Paraguay.
Parodia scopa f. cristata hort.: Crested form.
Parodia scopa subs. marchesii (W.R.Abraham) Hofacker: has stems with fewer ribs (19-28), 2-4 white or yellowish central spines, and about 40 radials. Distribution: Treinta y Tres, Uruguay.
Parodia scopa subs. neobuenekeri (F.Ritter) Hofacker & P.J.Braun: stems with 18-21ribs, 6-12 strong central spines, and 30-40 radials. Distribution: near Camaqua, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Parodia scopa f. splendens hort.
Parodia scopa subs. succinea (F.Ritter) Hofacker & P.J.Braun: has stems with 18-24 ribs, 8-12 central spines, and 15-30 radials. Distribution: near Sao Gabriel, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Parodia scopa subs. succinea f. albiseta hort.: has pure white spines.
Parodia scopa var. sulphurea hort.: This is only a common hoticultural name for "Parodia scopa ssp. succinea"
Parodia scopa cv. inermis: has spineless areoles with a short white wool, they are arranged geometrically and contrast with the stem. A few small bristly spines are occasionally produced in the flowering areoles.
Parodia scopa cv. inermis cristata: Crested form.

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Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Abraham, Wolf-Rainer (1987): Succulenta 66 (12): 256 – 260.
2) Gebauer, Alfred “Die Erstbeschreibung des Jahres 1987” in Notocactus (1988)
3) Gerloff & Neduchal “Die Pflanzen um Notocactus scopa,” INTERNOTO 3/4, 2003.

Cultivation and Propagation: It is easy to grow. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic mineral-based potting mix with a good drainage. It likes a warm bright location, does great in partial shade but doesn't like full, hot blazing sun in the central summer month. Can support quite some water during the growing season but pot plants in winter are wet-sensitive and needs to be kept dry (rots easily if soil is wet and cold) tends to lose its roots in winter. Usually it is recommended to over-winter this plant in a bright and warm greenhouse with at least 8-10° C, but it has proved to tolerate temperatures as low as -5° C for short periods.
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings or root suckers (if available). Not too difficult to raise from seed.

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