Xerophyte

Habit

It is essentially a miniature plant simple at first, that readily forms a clustering mound of tiny heads.

Description

The Rebutia heliosaSN|5204]]SN|5204]] f. monstruosa|SN|15775]] is a strange clustering cactus that forms a low growing mound of flattened stems. The apex of each branch, after an initial normal growth, go crazy and starts to produce bumped structures or even dichotomize funnily.This odd cactus is very distinctive.

Phenology

It flowers in spring.

Roots

Fleshy tap root.

Flowers

Large, funnel-shaped, long-necked, 4 cm in diameter, 4,5-5,5 cm long, orange-red. Tube up to 3 cm long 2-3 mm across, solid for more than half its length, deep rose to orange pink. Tepals orange with lilac mid-stripe.

Spines

Less than 20 all radials, short, about 1 mm long, distinctively silvery-white, dense, speading laterally and pectinate

Stem

Heads compressed spherical to shortly cylindrical approx 2-3 cm wide, 1-3 cm tall.

Areoles

Small, brown and narrow, elongated 1-2 mm long, less than 0,5 mm broad, forming 35-40 spirals.