Wigginsia sessiflora

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Wigginsia sessiflora (Hook.) D.M.Porter
Taxon 13(6): 210 1964
Family: CACTACEAE

= Wigginsia sessiliflora (Hook.) D.M.Porter
Taxon 13: 210 1964. (sessiflora).

Accepted Scientific Name: Parodia sellowii (Link & Otto) D.R.Hunt
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 4: 6. 1997 [Oct 1997]

Wigginsia sessiflora (Wigginsia sessiliflora) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Origin and Habitat: Northern Argentina, where the species occurs in three areas: Sierra Lihuel - Calel, Sierra de Tandil, and Sierra de la Ventana and (maybe) Uruguay (Paso del Cerro)
Habitat and ecology: this species grows in the Pampa grasslands together with Gymnocalycium parvulumSN|11474]]SN|16395]], Gymnocalycium gibbosumSN|8057]]SN|8057]], Gymnocalycium bicolorSN|16395]]SN|11474]], Lobivia aureaSN|10646]]SN|10646]], Frailea astrerioides, Tricho SN'>7680' alt='6944'>Cereus candicans#SN#7679'>Tricho[[Cereus candicansSN' style='border:none;'>, Cylindr SN'>28226' alt='32053'>Opuntia tunicata#SN#28228'>Cylindr[[Opuntia tunicataSN' style='border:none;'>SN|28226]], Cereus aethiopsSN|7679]]SN|6944]], Parodia submammulosaSN|20039]]SN|20039]], Opuntia pampeanaSN|32054]]SN|32054]], Opuntia sulphureaSN|28228]]SN|32053]], Notocactus submammulosusSN|20042]]SN|20042]] and the epiphyte or lithophyte bromeliad Tillandsia gilliessi, Tillandsia bryoides and Tillandsia myosura.

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Synonyms:

Wigginsia sessiliflora (Hook.) D.M.Porter

Echinocactus sessiliflorus Hook.
Malacocarpus sessiliflorus (Hook.) Backeb.
Notocactus sessiliflorus (Hook.) Krainz
Wigginsia sessiflora (Hook.) D.M.Porter

See all synonyms of Parodia sellowii

Description: Wigginsia sessifloraSN|20132]]SN|32063]] (a.k.a., Notocactus sessiliflorusSN|20136]]SN|20136]], or Malacocarpus sessiliflorusSN|20135]]SN|20135]]) is a local or morphological form of the widespread and variable Parodia sellowiiSN|20106]]SN|20106]]. It has spherical flattened stems, up to 20 cm in diameter with small yellow flowers about 25 mm wide, at the stem apex. However the distinguishing characteristics of Wigginsia sessifloraSN|20187]]SN|32063]], appear to fall within the natural variation of Parodia sellowiiSN|20106]]SN|20106]] and it should be synonymized with the latter. One of the typical features of (Wigginsia sessifloraSN|32063]]SN|32063]]), is the flower which is significantly smaller than most other Wigginsia, except only the closely related and very similar Wigginsia vorwerkianaSN|32063]]SN|20187]].
Stem: Spherical flattened, up to 200 mm wide, dark green, grey-green or brown-green. Ribs: Initially few, later up to 30, sharp, swollen around areoles.
Radial spines: Initially only 2-4, later 4-5, to 20 mm long, 3 curved downard.
Central spines: Nome, rarely 1. All spines dull white to horn coloured.
Flowers: Small about 25 mm wide, yellow; Petals lanceolate, tip somewhat rounded. The species is self-fertile.
Fruit: Pink.
Seeds: dark brown to black, 1.2 mm long and 1.1 mm wide.
Varieties: A few varieties namely var. debilacantha, var. martinii, var. paucicostata, var. stegmannii where previously assigned to Wigginsia sessilifloraSN|32063]]SN|20132]]. The last three varieties were sometimes considered separate species.

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Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Parodia sellowii group

Parodia sellowii (Link & Otto) D.R.Hunt: has flattened stems, about 15 cm Ø producing several yellow flowers together around the woolly stem apex. It is extremely variable. Distribution: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and North Argentina.
Wigginsia corynodes (Otto ex Pfeiff.) D.M.Porter: has dark olive-green body, with thirteen to sixteen, deep ribs and clusters of seven to twelve dark-zoned, yellow spines. Distribution: Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.
Wigginsia fricii (Arechav.) D.M.Porter: has 6-7 radial spines, yellowish or whitish, unequal, curved, pliable, not piercing. Flowers ca. 3 cm long. Distribution: Coast of Uruguay.
Wigginsia leucocarpa (Arechav.) D.M.Porter: has light-colored fruits white or pale pink (never purple). Distribution: Uruguay.
Wigginsia macracantha (Arechav.) D.M.Porter: has somewhat stouter spines and larger flowers. Distribution: Uruguay.
Wigginsia sessiliflora (Hook.) D.M.Porter: has significantly smaller flower (less tha 2.5 cm across). Distribution: Northern Argentina (Sierra Lihuel - Calel, Sierra de Tandil, and Sierra de la Ventana)
Wigginsia vorwerkiana (Werderm. ex Backeb.) D.M.Porter: Distribution: Colombia.

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Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Zulma E. Rúgolo de Agrasar, Pedro E. Steibel, Héctor O. Troiani “Manual ilustrado de las gramíneas de la provincia de La Pampa” Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, 2005
2) Havlíček R., “Notocactus (podrod Malacocarpus sensu Buxb.) sessiliflorus (Hook.) Krainz,” Kaktusy 79, 15 : 102-104, 1979
3) Mace T., “Notocactus - a review of the genus”, p. 68, 1978
4) Schäfer G., “Die Gattung Notocactus”, Kakteen, Sukkulenten, 14 : 93, 1979
5) Stuchlík S., “Představujeme zajímavé rostliny”, Minimus, 18 : 27, 1987
6) S.Stuchlíka, “WIGGINSIA SESSILIFLORA (Mackie ex Hook.) D.M.Porter var. SESSILIFLORA” retrieved 12 March 2016 from <http://www.cact.cz/galerie_test/detail.php?id=479>

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Cultivation and Propagation: Wigginsia sessifloraSN|32063]]SN|32063]] is an easy to grow tropical cactus that like a warm bright location, but more cold tolerant than most. It requires a slightly acidic, permeable and nutritious substrate, regular watering and bright location.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species.
Soils: It prefer a very porous neutral to slightly acidic compost with plenty of extra grit.
Repotting: Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water regularly in summer, but do not overwater, keep dry in winter. It rot easily if the substrate is wet and cold, tends to lose its roots in winter. Best if watered with rain water.
Fertilization: Feed it once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (poor in nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. It thrives in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Hardiness: Reputedly sensitive to frost , but less so if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5° C for short periods). However warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success (8-12°C during rest season).
Exposition: Outside bright filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, avoid full sun. Inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy wool and spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants!

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Cite this page: "Wigginsia sessiflora" Text available under a CC-BY-SA Creative Commons Attribution License. www.llifle.com 14 Nov. 2005. 03 Apr 2025. </Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/32063/Wigginsia_sessiflora>