Acanthocalycium klinglerianum

Ribs and growth

Ettelt and Riedel described fibrous roots and smooth, strong green epidermis that developed a yellowish tint at high temperatures. Sharp rib edges and thick woolly areoles were prominent characters. Their account included observations of two cultivated plants, measuring 16 and 20 cm in diameter and 18 and 22 cm in height, respectively. They explicitly noted that these dimensions exceeded some values in the original description. [Ettelt and Riedel 2006]

Flowers and habitat

Köllner described elongated white flowers approximately 12 cm long, opening in late afternoon or evening. Their scent varied in intensity in his account. Flowers appeared on older plants measuring at least about 5 cm across. These observations indicate that flowering can begin before plants attain the large dimensions documented in Riedel’s collection. [Köllner 2009]

In Riedel’s observations, flowers began opening in late afternoon. The natural locality associated with the species description lies in Santa Cruz Department, Chiquitos Province. Ettelt and Riedel place the plant in lowland Chaco vegetation, including open and more continuous thorn scrub. The current POWO record gives Bolivia as its native range. [Ettelt and Riedel 2006] [2-WWW]

Name history and species limits

Echinopsis klingleriana was published in 1965 and commemorates Elmar Klingler, who supplied material to Cárdenas. POWO attributes the combination Acanthocalycium klinglerianum to Joël Lodé’s publication dated 2020 and issued in 2022. The older name is a synonym based on the same type. Recognition as a separate species matters when interpreting works that use broad concepts of Echinopsis rhodotricha or Echinopsis chacoana. [2-WWW] [Ettelt and Riedel 2006]

Conditions described in cultivation

Köllner recommended a warm position, allowing partial shade and restrained watering. Under the practice described, plants grew slowly while maintaining distinct spination and a yellowish-green epidermis. [Köllner 2009]

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