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Acanthocalycium

Here you will find pictures and information on the genus of Acanthocalycium found in the country of Argentina. The name is derived from the Greek words of akantha for "prickly", and kalyx referring to "prickly buds".

Fresh seeds are available from my own personal plants for the species of Acanthocalycium glaucum.

Synonyms: Echinopsis, Lobivia.

The genus of Acanthocalycium was originally described by Curt Backeberg in 1935 consisting of twelve different specie: Acanthocalycium aurantiacum, brevispinum, catamarcense, chionanthum, glaucum, griseum, klimpelianum, peitscherianum, spiniflorum, thionanthum, variflorum, and violaceum. Here below you will find pictures of my own Acanthocalycium glaucum and A. klimpelianum which are unfortunately the only members of the genus I presently own.

Over the years all members of the Genus Acanthocalycium were moved into that of Lobivia followed by that of Echinopsis where most have remained to this day, only to have three specie moved back to the genus of Acanthocalycium; that of Acanthocalycium ferrarii, klimpelianum, and spiniflorum. The reasons behind the arguments are due to the flowers of this genus being very similar to those of Echinopsis in that they have spines and wool on the scales and are usually large. These plants are described as globose to slightly elongated bearing spiny stems with numerous ribs and pink to white to red funnelform to bell shaped flowers that open during the day.

Acanthocalycium glaucum

Acanthocalycium glaucum in flower

Acanthocalycium klimpelianum

Acanthocalycium klimpelianum in flower