Tephrocactus alexanderi

Tephrocactus alexanderi, also known as Tephrocactus geometricus, is a species of cactus under the genus Tephrocactus. It is also classified under the subfamily Opuntioideae. It is native to Argentina Catamarca (Angostura de Guanchim and Tinogasta) and close to the Bolivian border, where it is exposed to extreme heat and an arid climate.^[1] T. geometricus receives its name from the Greek word γεωμετρία (geometria), meaning geometry.

Tephrocactus alexanderi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Tephrocactus
Species:	T. alexanderi
Binomial name
Tephrocactus alexanderi (Britton & Rose) Backeb.
Synonyms
Tephrocactus geometricus (A.Cast.) Backeb.

Description

Tephrocactus alexanderi grows in globular lobes, which sprout from one another and form clumps.^[1] The segments of the plant can be blue-green to purple with full sun exposure.^[2] Spines are mostly not present, with some growing from the upper areoles. Flowers are light pink to white and have a darker midstrip.^[2][1]

Images

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  Flowering T. alexanderi
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  Flowers of T. alexanderi
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  Tephrocactus alexanderi