Xerophyte

Description

Gymnocalycium schickendantziiSN|12116]]SN|22430]] is a nice looking broadly globular, somewhat flattened cactus similar to Gymnocalycium saglionisSN|22430]]SN|12116]], but with quite varied spination, some with beautiful long interlacing spines. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. delaetii (K.Schum.) G.J.Charles.

Flowers

G. schickendantzii commonly flowers from lateral areoles as well as from the crown. Flowers funnel shaped with long floral tubes, white to reddish, to 5 cm long. The stigma has 12 yellowish lobes.

Spines

6-7 radial only spines, strong, somewhat flattened, curved outward or downward, reddish-grey to yellowishbrown turning to ash colour as they age., to 3 (or more) cm long.

Ribs

Ribs 7-16, distinctly tuberculate, with transverse furrows.

Stem

About 10 cm in diameter, dark olive green to brownish green. Young plants have broadly orbicular plant bodies which, when mature, become about as tall as they are broad.

Fruits

Ovoid, green to bluish.

Areoles

Elongated, fuzzy white.