




Your support is critical to our success.
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

Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (seed grown from cultivated material)
Synonyms:
Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
Dict. Hort. [Bois] 2: 804. 1898 Britton & Rose, Cactaceae, 3: 93, fig. 102. 1922
Synonymy: 16
- Epithelantha micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
- Cactus micromeris (Engelm.) Kuntze
- Cephalomamillaria micromeris (Engelm.) Frič
- Echinocactus micromeris (Engelm.) F.A.C.Weber in Bois
- Mammillaria micromeris Engelm.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. caespitosa Y.Itô
- Epithelantha micromeris f. cristata hort.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. longispina Y.Itô
- Epithelantha micromeris var. neomexicana n.n.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha greggii var. rufispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha rufispina Bravo
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis n.n.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. texensis f. cristata hort.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. typica Croizat
Epithelantha micromeris var. dickisoniae hort.
Synonymy: 3 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 12. 1998
Synonymy: 12
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
- Cactus micromeris var. greggii (Engelm.) J.M.Coult.
- Cephalomamillaria greggii var. greggii (Engelm.) Frič
- Cephalomamillaria micromeris var. greggii cv. Gray Herb. CardCat., Issue 114 (Engelm.) Frič
- Epithelantha greggii (Engelm.) Orcutt
- Epithelantha micromeris var. greggii (Engelm.) Y.Itô
- Mammillaria greggii (Engelm.) Saff.
- Mammillaria micromeris var. greggii Engelm.
- Epithelantha greggii subs. potosina D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. densispina (Bravo) Backeb.
- Epithelantha densispina Bravo
- Epithelantha greggii var. densispina (Bravo) Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. greggii f. cristata
Synonymy: 2 Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 13. 1998
Synonymy: 6
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) N.P.Taylor
- Epithelantha micromeris var. pachyrhiza W.T.Marshall
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza (W.T.Marshall) Backeb.
- Epithelantha micromeris f. elongata (Backeb.) Bravo
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza subs. elongata (Backeb.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha pachyrhiza var. elongata Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. pachyrhiza f. cristata
Accepted name in llifle Database:
Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass
Guía Identif. Cact. Amenazadas México 1: Ep/mi ssp. polycephala (1998 publ. 1997)
Synonymy: 4
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass
- Epithelantha greggii subs. polycephala (Backeb.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Epithelantha micromeris var. polycephala (Backeb.) Glass & R.A.Foster
- Epithelantha polycephala Backeb.
Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. . 5: 12. 1998
Synonymy: 6
- Epithelantha micromeris subs. unguispina (Boed.) N.P.Taylor
- Epithelantha micromeris var. unguispina (Boed.) Backeb.
- Epithelantha unguispina (Boed.) D.Donati & Zanov.
- Mammillaria micromeris var. unguispina Boed.
- Epithelantha spinosior
- Epithelantha unguispina subs. huastecana D.Donati & Zanov.
Description: The "var. texensis" is the population of Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] found in Texas (USA) but this taxon is not easily recognizable from other Epitelantha micromeris (if not the same identical plant)
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.
Notes: The cause of cresting: The cause of cresting is not fully explained. Biologists disagree as to why some plants grow in this unusual form. Some speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of a lightning strike or freeze damage. But whatever the stimulus, the growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point to a line, which folds and undulates as the crest expands. Though these crested cacti are somewhat rare (1 in 50,000 or less), cresting occurs naturally and can be encountered in many other cactus species.
Cultivation and Propagation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant, in cultivation it is relatively easy. It needs a particularly well-draining soil mix (rot prone). Water sparingly.
Frost Tolerance: Depending on the variety, will handle -12° C (Temperature Zone: USDA 8-11)
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun
Propagation: Grafting, cuttings, seeds of crested plants give often rise to some crested plants too.
Your Actions | |
---|---|
![]() |
Back to Epithelantha index |
![]() |
Back to Cactaceae index |
![]() |
Back to Cacti Encyclopedia index |
Privacy stantement - Terms and conditions - How to cite - About us - Feedback - Donate
