Xerophyte

Habit

It is a highly branching cactus that forms densely packaged clumps.

Description

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]] is a very flat geophyte cactus that produce small star-shaped rosettes. The monstrous form Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]] f. monstruosus is an odd plant that forms bumped shapes, it is very colourful, the epidermis is dark green and contrasts with the large white areoles and new purple-red growth, and it is possible to find clones with different degrees of monstrosity or deformity. The flowers shows a great degree of variability too. Maybe we can call it a freak? Despite to its beauty it is still very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features.

Roots

These plants are almost always seen grafted on tall columnar cacti, but can be rooted and in this case they grow a large tap root below the surface of the compost.

Tubercles

The tubercles are hatchet shaped to deltoid, much smaller than the type species, dark olive green with no spines and are more long than wide, closely packed and divergent, sharply angled apically.

Flowers

Usually failing to open, if opening they are very small and emerging from the areoles on the top, bright pink-violet and more or less monstrous.

Blooming Season

Mid-September onwards.

Stem

Small sized and giving rise to numerous side shoots from old areoles, flattened on top, depressed centrally.

Fruits

Not seen.

Areoles

The tubercles forms a woolly central areole extending longitudinal, 1-3 mm wide, 5-10 mm long and often covering the whole apical part of a tubercle.