Xerophyte

Description

Gymnocalycium baldianumSN|26130]]SN|11968]] is a small usually unbranched species with rich purple-red blooms, sometimes pinkish-purple.

Flowers

Produced on the crown near the apex, measuring 3 to 4 cm in length and the same across, open wide in sunlight, and commonly of a most rich purple-red colour, sometimes pinkish-purple (but also white, pink or orange). The stamens are purple, the anthers and the 6 lobed stigma whitish yellow. This plant blooms in early summer when it is only 2,5 cm.

Crested Growth

The crested form Gymnocalycium baldianum f. cristataSN|11968]]SN|26130]] - despite to its beauty - is still very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features.

Spines

5 to 7 thin radial spines that are straight or curved toward the stem, short, curved, pale brown or grey, tinged with red at the base.

Ribs

Broad divided by deep grooves into tubercles.

Stem

Fan shaped, somewhat flattened and depressed along the line meristem, up to 10 cm in width, green, greyish-brown to blue-green (rather variable in colour in cultivation, and in some specimens it is almost blue-black).

Fruits

The ripened ovary is green, long and dehisces (splits) down its length.

Areoles

Deep-set.