Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Malacocarpus ottonis (Lehm.) Britton & Rose

Frost tender, very variable, small, globose cactus, usually single at first then clustered, with up to 15 ribs bearing hair-like spines, and multi-petalled, diaphanous yellow to orange-red flowers above the groups of spines.  To 15cm.  [RHSD, Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This very beautiful species of Echinocactus was first described by Dr. Lehmann, (to whom our Glasgow Garden is indebted for the possession of the plant,) and afterwards was well represented in Link and Otto’s excellent publication on the plants of the Berlin Garden.  It is a native of Brazil: and like all its tribe should be cultivated in a warm and dry stove, and the pots kept well drained from moisture.  It blossomed with us in July, 1831.’  [BM t.3107/1831].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.301/1843].

Notes

Published Mar 02, 2010 - 03:04 PM | Last updated Jul 15, 2010 - 05:24 PM

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Figured is a globose, ribbed cactus with yellow flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.3107, 1831.

Malacocarpus ottonis (Lehm.) Britton & Rose | BM t.3107/1831| BHL

Family Cactaceae
Category
Region of origin

Mexico
Synonyms
  • Notocactus ottonis (Lehm.) A.Berger
  • Cereus ottonis Pfeiff.
  • Cactus ottonis Lehm.
  • Echinocactus ottonis Link & Otto
  • Echinocactus tenuispinus Link & Otto
  • Echinocactus tortuosus Link & Otto
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Cereus Ottonis 
Confidence level high