Xerophyte

Central Spines

0-2 very similar to the radials.

Description

Gymnoclaycium gibbosum f. longispinum is a spiny flattened solitary cactus. The form “longispinum” has longer and stiffer spines but is practically identical to the normal form in stem and flowers characteristics.

Note

Seems to be a pretty variable plant you might get some other names which are effectively the same plant.... and also not sure all plants identified as this are really this.

Flowers

Infundibuliform in the nearest periphery just around the apex 45-60 mm long, 60-65 in diameter. Tepals ivory white with a brownish mid rib or occasionally reddish, throat greenish with a basal reddish area. Style white-greenish, stigma white. Anthers cream coloured.

Ribs

10-16 straight, divided in well distinct angular ribs.

Stem

Deep glaucous-green to grey-black, discoidal that became elonged with time 10-25 cm tall, up to 12 cm in diameter, the apex is slightly woolly.

Radial Spines

5-7 25-35 (45) mm long slightly bent against the plants body, clear brown with a darker base when young, that became whitish-grey with a black base as they age.

Fruits

Globate or fusiform, 20-40 mm long green with white bordered scales.

Areoles

Whitish-grey, elonged.