Xerophyte

Central Spines

Lacking, sometimes one, up to 2.5 cm long.

Note

ferricola Lat. 'ferrum', iron; and Lat. '-cola', inhabiting; for the occurrence on iron-rich soil.

Cephalium

Up to 7 cm tall and 6.5 cm across, with white wool and dark grey bristles to 5 cm long.

Flowers

to 5.5 cm long.

Ribs

14-15, forming well defined tubercles.

Stem

Flattened to globose, 5-9 cm high, 20-25 cm in diameter, dark green in the period of growth; in winter the epidermis can have a reddish tinge.

Radial Spines

5-8, reddish-brown, becoming grey with age, 1 to 5 cm long more or less curved toward the plants body.

Fruits

Elongate to club shaped, greenish cream to white, 3-4 cm long.

Areoles

Round to ovoid, dirty white. Number of areoles per ribs is 5 to 6 on plants with cephalium.