Xerophyte

Habit

Slow-growing, spherical, perennial succulent, usually solitary.

Central Spines

5 or 6, straight, rigid, longer than the radials, bulbous at the base, 10-12(-15) mm long, fuchsine red when new, passing to yellow. Often the upper half or third dark brown.

Seeds

Obovate, reddish brown, 1 mm in diameter.

Tubercles

firm to flabby, conical, short and thick, green, not milky. Axils without bristles,woolly at first, later naked.

Flowers

Funnelform, yellow, orangish or purplish without, pale-yellow within, 15-20 long.

Stem

Globose to short cylindrical, dark green up to 6(-10) cm in diameter and 12 cm tall, entirely hidden by the dense covering of spines.

Radial Spines

20-25 or more, glassy white, pale yellow or pale brownish, unequal, rigid, slender, needle-like, slightly spreading, about 1 cm long.

Fruits

Elongated, greenish pink or creamy coloured.