Pelecyphora aselliformis is a miniature cactus described by C. Ehrenberg in 1843 and known in Mexico as peyotillo. It is endemic to the state of San Luis Potosí, where it grows on low limestone hills and gravelly flats between about 1800 and 2400 m, the flattened grey-green body often sitting almost level with the ground among stones. The genus name joins the Greek pelekys (hatchet) and phoros (bearing), after the flattened, axe-shaped tubercles that spiral around the stem; the epithet aselliformis means woodlouse-shaped, from the comb-like clusters of 40 to 60 short whitish spines that lie flat on each tubercle. Magenta flowers open at the woolly apex once plants are several years old. Current taxonomy keeps the species in Pelecyphora, a genus recently enlarged to absorb the cacti long grown as Escobaria, and treats it as of least concern in the wild.The seeds offered here were harvested from a crested (cristate) mother plant of this species, the specimen shown in the photographs. Cresting is a fasciation of the growing point rather than a stable inherited character, so seedlings are not guaranteed to be crested: most will grow as normal plants, while a small proportion may develop the fan-shaped growth of the parent. That chance, alongside a batch of true, well-documented P. aselliformis, is the usual reason collectors sow seed of crested origin.Sow in spring in a gritty, mineral, lime-rich mix, barely covering the seed, and keep it moist, bright and warm (about 20-25 °C) until germination. Seedlings are slow and resent stagnant moisture, so ventilate as soon as they are up and let the surface dry between waterings. Adult plants want full sun or very bright light, a sharply draining substrate with limestone or gypsum grit, sparing water in the growing season and a completely dry rest through winter, when they tolerate a few degrees above freezing. Growth is famously slow, and many growers graft seedlings to reach flowering size sooner, as was done with the crested parent plant. Seeds harvested from a crested (cristate) plant of Pelecyphora aselliformis Cresting is a fasciation: some seedlings may crest, most grow normally Miniature globose cactus with hatchet-shaped tubercles and comb-like spines Endemic to the limestone hills of San Luis Potosí, Mexico, at 1800-2400 m Mineral, lime-rich substrate, full sun and a completely dry winter rest Slow, small and unmistakable, Pelecyphora aselliformis is one of the classic miniatures of Mexican cactus collections. Sowing seed taken from a crested specimen adds the possibility of a cristate plant to an already sought-after species, and gives the grower a batch of seedlings to select from over the years.IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult crested mother plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds harvested from it.
