Posted by
Baja_Costero (Baja California - Zone 11b) on Sep 3, 2019 5:06 PM concerning plant:
Very small, spineless button cactus (solitary or branching) with stems to half an inch in diameter and white (or rarely pinkish) flowers borne apically. No ribs or tubercles. Grown from seed. Sterilize soil before sowing and maintain good hygiene. Provide excellent drainage in cultivation.
This cactus is fairly widespread and locally common in nature. It is found on the eastern side of the Andes in southern Bolivia and northern Argentina, at elevations of 1200-3500m, often growing in cracks in the rock. It is the smallest member of the family. A distinguishing feature of this monospecific genus is its seeds, which have arils and fine hairs. Another weird feature is that the stomata are restricted to the areolar pits, an adaptation for an extremely xeric lifestyle and extreme drought tolerance. A few other previously described species of Blossfeldia have been combined with liliputana.