Xerophyte

Habit

Plants generally forming clusters from basal branching.

Central Spines

1-4, often absent at first, similar to the radials but often darker, light brown to brown bent downward, up to 20 mm long.

Seeds

1,5 x 1 mm broad.

Flowers

orange-red to violet (or yellow) 3,5-4 cm in diameter floral bright; pericarpel 3-6 mm long and 3-6 mm in diameter, floral tubes slender 16-18 mm long, filaments violed red. Inner perianth segments violet-red with yellowish-orange or brownish-orange mid-stripe.

Spines

Creamy-white, yellowish or brownish, in age fading to grey.

Ribs

13-21 straight or somewhat spiralling 3-5 mm hight.

Stem

Globose to cylindrical, often slender, to 4,5 cm long or more and 4-6 cm in diameter, dark reddish-green or blackish.

Radial Spines

8-12(-14), pectinate to radiating, interlacing, light brown 2-15 mm long.

Fruits

Subglobose about 1 cm in diameter, dull-green to blackish, pulp white and juicy.

Areoles

3-6 mm apart.