Gymnocalycium paediophylum

Gymnocalycium paediophylum is a species of Gymnocalycium from Paraguay.

Description

Gymnocalycium paediophilum is a clumping cactus with round to short cylindrical green stems, 10–20 cm tall and 5–8 cm in diameter, with 6–10 slightly warty ribs. It has a strong central spine, 1.5–2.5 cm long, sometimes accompanied by 2 smaller spines, and 5–7 upright, brown radial spines up to 3 cm long. Its pink to light red flowers, which open widely, measure 4.5–6 cm in length and 5–6 cm in diameter. The green to blue-green fruits are 1–1.8 cm long and 0.7–1.5 cm in diameter.

Distribution

This species is native to the Boquerón, Paraguay department of Paraguay growing in quartz and rocks at elevations from 220 to 270 meters.

Taxonomy

Gymnocalycium paediophilum was first described in 1979 by Friedrich Ritter. The epithet paediophilum, meaning "child-loving", references the numerous children Ritter educated.