Pediocactus paradinei
B.W.Benson 1957
Pediocactus paradinei is an attractive tiny plant with its long white hair
like spine. This species has many characteristics in common with P.simpsonii.
Body, solitary 3-7.5cm in high, 2.5-5cm in diameter. Color is graish green.
Central spine 3-6, 1-3cm, radial spine 15-20, to 5mm, but difficult to
distinguish from centrals. Central of adult plants are very variable, sometimes
long hairlike spine, white to gray with yellow to brown tips. Many people
think "hair-like" spine is a "typical" characteristics
of P.paradinei but in habitat there are few plants with such a long white
hair. There are also hair-less adult plants. They are very variable in
spination. Flower 20mm long, 25mm in diameter, pinkish beige to yellow,
late April to early May.
They live in relatively higher altitude of northern Arizona., from 1600m
to 2100m called Kaibab Plateau. The place P.paradinei live does not look
like "cactus habitat", it is like "cool summer resort"
in forest. Actually, winter of Kaibab Plateau is very cold, sometimes snow
even in the spring. We can find good colony of P.paradinei in open area
around 2000m in altitude, under the sparse trees of Ponderosa pine. Body
of P.paradinei barely emerges out of the ground even in growing period.
In summer and winter when they are in dormancy all of their body is sunken
under the ground level and it is almost impossible to locate them. The distribution area of P.paradinei is very small and they need protection.
Cultivation of P.paradinei is according to P.simpsonii from higher altitude.
It is relatively easy among the genus. Plant on their own root are very
hardy. But they do not like heat and very severe sunlight in summer. Do
not keep them in hot and humid green house, keep them in airy place, because
they like "wind". P.paradinei endures more humidity than other
Pedio&Scleros. But I water them only from early March to May, rest
of year keep them in dormancy. They are extremely slow grower. I think
it needs 7 to 10 year to grow P.paradinei to adult specimen with long hairly
spine. It's a long lasting challenge!
Coconino Co. ARIZONA 2,100m
BACK
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Habitat of P.paradinei. It is not seem to be cactus country because of
dense woods, like a rim of Grand Canyon.
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Early in May, P.paradinei in bloom. Flower color are from cream such as
this picuture to pinkish.
(Click the picuture, you can see larger one) |
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Even 2cm individual, without hairlike spine, have flower. |
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In this year the snow had laid so deep in mountain..So P.paradinei were
pumped up and in full brooming. |
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There are two young individuals.Their shapes are exactly like little "simpsonii".
（Click the picuture, you can see larger one） |
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Somewhat lower altitude than above mentioned. P.paradinei occur in open
place in sparse wood land like this picture. |
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You can find 5 individuals with "moss-covered" rocks in this picture. So we know the place is moderate moist..
（Click the picuture, you can see larger one） |
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In June, The pot shaped fruits is almost ripen.The side skin of fruits
will dehisce and seed will be out.
（Click the picuture, you can see larger one） |
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The characterize long white spine begins to come out. It's really beautiful!
（Click the picuture, you can see larger one） |
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The biggest individual, reaching 6cm in diameter. The long hair-like spine
are rude and the body are covered with.
（Click the picuture, you can see larger one） |
Coconino Co. ARIZONA 1,900m
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