Xerophyte

Habit

Plant at first solitary that matures and flowers at an early age. With time it form small colonies. One of the peculiarity of this species is the tendency to produce basal suckers on the lateral roots.

Central Spines

Up to four, brownish, reddish brown or yellowish 20-40 mm long.

Seeds

Bell shaped, glossy.

Flowers

Yellow from the uppermost areoles, one or more appearing at a time, that open only during the dayt, 5-6 cm wide, floral tube with brownish wool and bristles. Perianth segments linear-oblong, acute, stamens about half the length of the perianth, segments, style yellow, stigma lobes red.

Spines

Bristly, acicular, slightly curved and spreading.

Ribs

8-9, broad and rounded, well defined.

Stem

Up to 8 cm in diameter, 4 cm tall, somewhat depressed, with white wool apically, more or less glossy green or bluish green which can take a deep purplish to maroon colouring during winter dormancy, though this colour can be retained if grown in sufficient light. However the new growth is green but will soon darken to match the older epidermis.

Radial Spines

7-9 up to 15 mm long, clearer.

Fruits

0,9-12 mm in diameter, ovoid to short cylindrical, thick walled, deishent often with large number of seeds.

Areoles

Few, circular up 1-2(-3) mm wide, 10-12 mm apart.