Xerophyte

Habit

It makes a cluster of basal stems.

Central Spines

1 to 4 ( 0 in M. alamensis), the lower one elongated and either straight or hooked, 1 to 15.cm long, brownish, the upper part dark blackish brown.

Seeds

black.

Tubercles

Cylindrical four-sided basally, carinate, without latex, axils without wool but with an occasional few bristles. Tubercle arrangement 8-13.

Flowers

Large, wide funnel-form, diurnal, inodorous, light purplish-pink with a pinkish brown midstripe and paler margins, about 20 cm in diameter (up to 3,5 in M. alamensis). Stigmas are green (dull orange in M. pseudoalamensis)

Blooming Season

Spring, and flowers remain open for about three or four days.

Stem

Spherical to slender-cylindrical, dull green, often becoming reddish, 3-6 cm wide, 8-15 cm tall (or more in cultivation)

Radial Spines

The number of radial spines varies from as low as 9 (M. alamensis) to as many as 24, white, tipped brown, needle-like, about 6 to 8 mm long.

Fruits

Club shaped, pale scarlet 25-30 mm long.