Xerophyte

Central Spines

Inconspicuous one to 9 per areole, short, spreading, straight, longest spines 12-17 mm.
Several, appressed.

Description

Escobaria dasyacantha subs. chaffeyiSN|10129]]SN|10128]], best known as Escobaria chaffeyiSN|10128]]SN|10129]], is a small nipple Cactus forming solitary (or rarely with 2-5 branches) elongated ball densely covered with cream-brownish spines with darker tip.

Roots

Diffuse or whit a short taproot.

Tubercles

7-8 × 3-5mm, moderately soft, concealed by the numerous spines.

Flowers

Nearly apical that form a ring round the top of the stem, 15-30 mm, The flower colour is rather variable, pale-pink, brik-red, straw, brownish-purple or rarely light green with a darker pinkish to brown or brownish green midstripes.

Blooming Season

March-may.

Stem

It is globular in its youth although it tends towards cylindrical with age, 4.5-15 tall, 3-6 cm wide.

Radial Spines

21-31 per areole 6-10 mm long; interlacing cream-brownish, bristly with dark pink, red-brown to nearly black tips 26-42 per areole;

Fruits

Bright red, clavate, cylindric, or narrowly ellipsoid, 13-35mm long not very succulent; floral remnant strongly persistent.