Xerophyte

Central Spines

4-6 (-11) resembling the radial ones.

Description

They have been described as solitary, but they can also form groups with age. The plants in habit are each one different from its neighbours! Some has strong spines others weak, curly, straight, long or short ones and in all different combinations.

Roots

Fibrous.

Note

Seems to be a pretty variable plant you might get some other names which are effectively the same plant and also not sure all plants identified as this are really this.

Flowers

White with a reddish throat. The diameter and length are identical and are equal to 5 cm. Seedlings bloom at the age of 5-7 years.

Ribs

About 9-12 which consist of flattened protuberances, each of which finishes with a large elliptical, densely furred areola length 12 mm.

Stem

Usually globular up to 30 cm tall and 18cm across. Grass green to olive green.

Radial Spines

9-15 (-20) up to 4 cm long; Varying from brownish to grey, but those near the apex are mostly reddish-brown.