Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus var. elephantidens
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus var. elephantidens (often sold simply as Ariocarpus elephantidens) is a large-tubercled, collector-favoured form of the living-rock cactus Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus. It is distinguished by its broad, blunt, fleshy tubercles, which are noticeably wider and more swollen than those of the typical plant and are said to resemble the sole of an elephant's foot — the source of the name.
This is a horticultural form rather than a separate species, and its care follows the parent species: see Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus for full cultivation notes.
Description
Like the type, this form is a small, low-growing, geophytic cactus that sits nearly flush with the soil, its flattened rosette of triangular tubercles pressed close to the ground. What sets elephantidens apart is the size and shape of those tubercles: they are broad, thick and rounded at the tip, with the characteristic woolly groove running along the upper surface of each one. The body is spineless and slow-growing, drawing down into the ground during drought so that little more than the flat crown remains visible among surrounding grit.
In autumn the plant produces flowers from the wool at its centre, typically in shades of magenta to pink, opening over a few days in cool weather.
Cultivation
Cultivation is as for the parent species, Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus — the differences are cosmetic, not cultural. Grow it in a very lean, sharply drained, mostly mineral mix in a deep pot to accommodate the large tap-root, and give it bright light. Water only when the substrate has dried completely, and keep the plant dry through its winter rest.
The genus as a whole is notoriously intolerant of excess moisture: overwatering, a slow-draining mix, or water sitting in the woolly crown are the usual causes of rot. Because Ariocarpus are extremely slow from seed, some growers graft young plants onto a vigorous rootstock to speed them up, later rooting them on their own roots; on their own roots they are prized for their compact, natural look. See Watering, Repotting and Pests and diseases for general technique.
Legal status
Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus, and therefore this form, is listed under CITES Appendix I — the strictest level of international protection — which regulates cross-border trade in the species. Nursery-propagated specimens are legal to own and trade in most countries, but international shipment requires the appropriate CITES documentation; growers should check their own national rules before buying or selling across borders.
Members of the genus Ariocarpus have been reported to contain small amounts of alkaloids, and some species feature in the ethnobotanical record of parts of Mexico. Ariocarpus is not a recognised psychoactive cactus and is not scheduled as a controlled drug in most jurisdictions. This article covers the plant only as a horticultural and conservation subject; it is presented for reference and cultivation purposes.
See also
- Ariocarpus — the genus overview
- Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus — the parent species
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases