Tephrocactus articulatus

Tephrocactus articulatus is a species of cactus in the subfamily Opuntioideae of the plant family Cactaceae, endemic to northern Argentina.^[1]

It is a small shrubby cactus growing 40 cm tall with white flowers. The branches are typically made up of around eight segments, each segment 3–15 cm long and 3–4 cm broad.^[2] Its most notable feature are its spines which, if present, are flat and resemble parchment.^[3] The flowers open at end-of-evening nautical twilight, and close shortly after sunrise.

The species, as with the rest of the genus Tephrocactus, was formerly often included in a wide view of Opuntia. The species is variable, and two varieties are sometimes accepted based on the number of spines,^[2] though intermediates occur,^[2] and they are not considered distinct by the Plants of the World Online database:^[1]

• Tephrocactus articulatus var. articulatus. Few or no spines.
• Tephrocactus articulatus var. oligacanthus. Numerous broad, flat spines of papery appearance.

• Spineless specimen, Serrezuela, Córdoba Province, Argentina
• Spined specimen, Argentina

Propagation is usually through cuttings. Stem segments break away easily and will root readily without special treatment. It also grows from seeds.

• Paper Spine Cactus (Tephrocactus articulatus)
• Tephrocactus articulatus var. syringacanthus

• Kew Plant List
• IPNI Listing