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G'Day
For many years I thought that this plant was a Melocactus but now I'm told it isn't. Have been unable to identify it as all the descriptions I have tried do not fit in some major area.
Perhaps a member who has wider experience than I have could give it a name or suggest a Genera that is worth while researching. I could easily be thinking a major point is in fact minor or missing other identifying features. The plant is fairly old about 30yrs, the top is covered in soft but not raised wool and the flowers barely show through the wool. I will put a photo of the flower on the next message. The message containing the flowers is down the list a bit.
Regards
G'Day
Thank you for your input. The Ferocactus you named has some similarities in the ribs and general shape but the flowers appear to be outside of the woolly centre and are yellow not pink. Does F. glaucescens have variations in Its flower colour?
The photo shows a close up of the woolly top and spination
Regards
The other cactus I was thinking of last night but couldn't remember the name was Echinocactus platyacanthus [HYPERLINK@davesgarden.com]
Has it flowered before? The flowers in your second photo still look like they will be yellow when they open.
G'Day Lonny
Thank you again for your input. F. platycanthus is close except I cannot see any radial spines on mine, the central spines fit being from 2 to 4 the lower one larger, 31 ribs fit OK but my flowers were pink but did not fully emerge from the wool. I thought that was the way they were but perhaps they don't fully develope here, it has flowered several times and always the same it looks like buds forming again so I will if neccessary dig the flower out with a knife to check the colour. Is it possible that there is a sub species not listed in E F Anderson's book? The other concern is the size Edward F Anderson says easily recognized by Its size perhaps mine is still young (in cactus years) but it is over 30 years old and is still very much globular no sign of it being barrel shaped. You obviously have knowledge of cacti, would you mind having a look at my earlier post of my Cleistocacti and pass comment on them. Thank you again and your help is greatly appreciated. The photo is Cleistocacti in the bed with several other Cacti.
G'Day
I've looked at the links provided and agree that my plant is most likely a variety of Echinocactus platycanthus but I'm puzzled by the lack of height after 30 plus years and I need to check the flower colour the next time it flowers.
Thank you for your help Lonny.
I would very much like other cactophiles to make comment. If they agree with the identification the mystery is solved and if they have other ideas then I have a better chance of the correct answer.
Regards Brian
