Xerophyte

Central Spines

2-4, erect, golden to brown, stout, 2-3 mm long.

Description

Frailea mammiferaSN|3646]]SN|3646]] is a miniature plant, usually solitary, or sometime basally branched. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. angelsiae R.Kiesling & Metzing.

Roots

Fat central tap root.

Note

This plant is short living (It only lives about 10-15 years).

Flowers

Infundibuliform, larger than the plant itself, sulphur-yellow, 2,5 cm in diameter; tepals abruptly acuminate, long and slender, stigma-lobes 5-7. But don't be disappointed when the easily produced buds fail to open. Fraileas are cleistogamous, meaning that their flowers produce seed without even opening. Without the need for pollination, the buds rarely reach full bloom and remain closed. They will open only in great heat in the hottest, brightest, afternoon sun, if at all.

Ribs

About 17, with round and tapering tubercles, with a very typical dark purple-brown lunate, markings beneath the areoles.

Stem

It is diminutive in size, subglobose or eventually shortly columnar, glossy dark green and purple, up to 3 cm in height, 2-2,5 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

18-20, spreading, yellowish or whitish, thin, 1,5-2 mm long.

Fruits

Up to 8 mm in diameter. Dry, indehiscent, that detaches easily, pericarp membranous, fragile that break easily, releasing the seed.

Areoles

Placed in the upper side of the tubercles.