Xerophyte

Description

Plants profusely branched with long projecting spines, ultimately forming low mats or hemispheric mounds to 100 cm diameter. Coryphantha macromerisSN|10268]]SN|10268]] comprises two subspecies - the typical form and subsp. runyonii (Britton & Rose) N.P.Taylor.

Roots

It has deep succulent taproot often massive and large.

Flowers

Apical or nearly so at mid-level of tubercle, outer tepals heavily fringed; flower bright rose-pink or magenta, often with darker midstripes and paler margins

Spines

Weakly appressed or projecting, slightly curved, often flexible. Radial 9-15 per areole, white, grey, tan, or brown, 15-25 mm long; subcentral spines 2-3 in adaxial part of areole; central spines 3-8 per areole, pale grey to black, abaxial central spine porrect or descending.

Stem

Noticeably tuberculate, hemispheric to short cylindrical, sometimes obscured by profusion of immature branches, 4-12 cm; tubercles unusually large 15-25 mm and grooved only on the upper half, flaccid or flabby; areolar glands seasonally conspicuous.

Fruits

Dark green, ovoid to obpyriform or ellipsoid.