Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima

Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima is a remarkable opuntiad from around Incahuasi in the Culpina Basin of the central southern Bolivian department of Chuquisaca, growing at around 3200m above sea level. First described by Josef Jakob Halda and Ladislav Horáček in 2000 as Tephrocactus pulcherrimus it was later moved to Cumulopuntia by Graham Charles in 2011. Developing a thick multibranched taproot over time, it forms a low, squat, extremely attractive clump. The many irregularly shaped segments form a beautiful multibranched mat randomly sporting the occasional soft squiggly bristle-like spine but it is the flower that makes Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima so distinctive. An unusual deep magenta/violet colour and at 40-60mm across, rather large, these flowers are indeed pulcherrima. In their original basionym description, Halda and Horáček described it as 'one of the most beautiful Opuntia'...

Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima is an easy cactus to grow, requiring a free-draining mineral substrate and full sun and of course, should be kept perfectly dry from October through to March. It is cold-tolerant and will overwinter in a cool glasshouse. If placed outside in the summertime, be careful of snails: they take a fancy to this choice cactus and although the scars they leave are relatively soon subsumed under the new growth, it is wise to take precautions. Be watchful also of mealy bugs - the scourge of any cactus collection - as they are easily hidden amongst the many segments.

An old well-grown specimen of Cumulopuntia subterranea subsp. pulcherrima can be lifted to expose the top part of it taproot and grown as a caudiciform.