Gymnocalycium kieslingii

Gymnocalycium kieslingii is a species of cactus in the genus Gymnocalycium, endemic to Argentina.

Gymnocalycium kieslingii
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Subfamily:	Cactoideae
Genus:	Gymnocalycium
Species:	G. kieslingii
Binomial name
Gymnocalycium kieslingii O.Ferrari 1985
Synonyms
Gymnocalycium frankianum Rausch ex H.Till & Amerh. 2007 Gymnocalycium kieslingii f. alboareolatum O.Ferrari 1985 Gymnocalycium kieslingii subsp. castaneum (O.Ferrari) Slaba 2012 Gymnocalycium kieslingii f. castaneum O.Ferrari 1985 Gymnocalycium kieslingii subsp. frankianum (Rausch ex H.Till & Amerh.) Slaba 2012

Description

Gymnocalycium kieslingii is a small, solitary cactus. Its shoots are gray-green, flattened, and slightly depressed spheres, measuring up to 2 centimeters in height and 6 to 9 centimeters in diameter. The cactus has 12 rounded ribs (though it can have between 9 and 13), which are low and separated by distinct furrows. The cactus features five to nine slightly curved spines that are whitish with pink bases. These spines lie flat against the shoots and range from 5 to 8 millimeters in length. The flowers of Gymnocalycium kieslingii are bell- to funnel-shaped, white, and can grow up to 6 centimeters long and 5 to 6 centimeters wide. Its spindle-shaped fruits can reach up to 3.5 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in diameter.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

This cactus is typically found in the mountain foothills and under shrubs in the La Rioja province of Argentina, usually at elevations between 500 and 1700 meters.^[3]

Taxonomy

Gymnocalycium kieslingii was first described in 1985 by Omar Ferrari, and its specific name honors Argentine botanist and cactus expert Roberto Kiesling.