Genus Spotlight: Acharagma
The genus Acharagma consists of two small cacti species from northern Mexico. Acharagma aguirreana and Acharagma roseana were previously placed under the genus Escobaria. Chareles Glass reclassified them into Acharagma in 1998. Despite its previous association with Escobaria, the plant is more closely related to Pediocactus and Lophophora. Breeders in Denmark have been working to hybridize Acharagma roseana and various species of Pediocactus and Lophophora to create hybrids bearing showier blooms.
These plants have tubercles (raised bumps) with ungroved areoles. The name of the genus Acharagma actually translates to "no groove" in Greek [a (no) - charagma (groove)]. The spines are quite thick and short (>1in.) can obscure much of the stem. Flowers are produced at the stem tip and have a darker vertical stripe.The fruits are produced in little green pods. Both species may produce offsets from the bottom.
Acharagma roseana
USDA Z 9-10
Acharagma roseana is native to the mountains of Coahuila and Nuero Leon where it grows at elevations of 5000-7000ft. The species is slow branching, forming clusters with age. Each stem reaches a mature height of 2.5 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter. They contain 4-6 central spines and 15-30 radical spines in shades of white or gold. Plants are prone to root rot so grow them on the dry side. Flowers are very small, up to .8 inches in diameter and range from yellow to pink. They prefer full sun but will take light shade. Plant can be propagated from seed or by cuttings.
USDA Z10-11
This critically endangered globose species is native to the Coahuila de Zaragoza in central Mexico. Less than 1,000 plants/ sq km exist in the wild because of illegal poaching. This species is solitary and small, reaching heights of 2 inches. They contain 15-20 spines in shades of white and deep brown. Flowers are red or yellow, up to .8 inches in diameter.
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