Xerophyte

Habit

This is one of the larger headed species, solitary or clustering when the main head is about 5-7 cm in diameter and producing a nice patch over time. This species pups at the base.

Roots

It has long tap roots.

Flowers

Showy that cluster around the lower stem, funnel-shaped with short necks, about 3 cm tall, 3,5 cm in diameter, pink-violet to purple.

Blooming Season

Spring.

Spines

20-25 or more per areola, not clearly differentiated as centrals and radials, about 14 mm long, comb-like, protruding and ascending, bristly, soft, fexible not hurting to the touch usually yellow, but also white, brown or black..

Ribs

About 20, tuberculate, spiralling; tubercles with chinned protrusions.

Stem

Flattened globular or hemispherical, often shortly cylindrical in cultivation, depressed at apex, 4-7 cm tall and in diameter, typically light-green in yellow spined specimens, but in darker spined forms often brown-green, brown-violet or sometimes almost black..

Fruits

Dark yellowish-brown with pale green scales.

Areoles

Elongate, white or brown woolly 5-7 mm long.