CactiGuide.com

Hi! Is this natural phenotype variation within the same species (which one) of Stenocactus?

Stenocactus are notorious for finding a key to really identify the species, or deciding actually how many distinct species there really are?

https://www.cactiguide.com/cactus/?genus=Stenocactus

Phenotypic variation is natural variation within a population and ev0lution eventually tends to select the most suitable form for that environment. Did your plants come from a single population or are seed from a single fruit?

Stenocactus are identifiable by their thin often wavy ribs. There is one exception though that is easy to identify since it has thicker more normal ribs and that is Stemocactus coptonogonus.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=st ... 2D&first=1

Like many genera, given their variability, the genus is probably over split.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=St ... =0&first=1

Thank you for your comments, DaveW. I was only wondering, if this kind of variation in morphological characteristics is typical of one species. I don’t know the origin of these plants.

This might be either of these suggestions. For those 3 above I'd suggest Stenocactus crispatus but you better see some flowers first to be more/less confident. Shape and color of spines vary within the species.