Xerophyte

Central Spines

4 (or more), up to 15 mm long, not easily distinguishable from the radials, usually flattish, thicker, straight and more than twice as long, white, yellow to brown with a brown tip, one usually flattened.

Description

This is the very rare red blooming form of this popular species that usually has yellow flowers.

Flowers

Bright magenta-pink with a orange-red throat, beautifully emphasized by the golden yellow stamens overtopped by the purplish-red stigma lobes, 5cm in diameter, with a short tube covered with white wool and brown bristles.

Ribs

About 18 straight, well distinct, with prominent, rounded tubercles with chin-like protrusion.

Stem

Globose, that elongates to a height of 5-10 cm and a diameter of 7-13 cm, with a depressed, spineless apex. The epidermis is green,.

Radial Spines

8 to 10, slender, whitish to brownish, needlelike, usually less than 5 mm long.

Areoles

Large, deeply embedded between the tubercles, and set about 5 mm apart.