Xerophyte

Habit

It is a clumping plant, readily forming, especially in cultivation, clumps of many heads.

Central Spines

None .

Seeds

Black.

Roots

Carrot-like.

Flowers

Arising from monoflorous areoles, in lower lateral flower zone. Rarely more than 3,5 cm long and 4,5 in diameter, mostly pinkish to dark magenta with a silky shine (occasionally with yellow throat). Floral tube funnel-shaped, with broad naked scales.

Blooming Season

Late spring.

Ribs

Spiralling, poorly distinguished, forming oblong rhomboidal grooved tubercles.

Stem

24-40 mm tall, up to 50 mm wide, flattened globose, dull gray-green sometime tinged red.

Radial Spines

Up to12 (or more) about up to 10 mm long, thin, acicular, addpressed and somewhat curved against the body, ± pectinate, dull creamy-yellow to light-brown.

Fruits

Small papery olive green to reddish brown at maturity.

Areoles

Long narrow depressed, dull white with short brownish-grey felt (almost bare) 3-6 mm long, 1,5-2 mm large.