Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent.

Seeds

1,5-2 mm long 2,1-3 rum broad, shiny, dark brown, smooth, hilum narrowly oblong-ovate.

Roots

While Frailea asterioidesSN|3523]]SN|3523]] has a fleshy napiform root, Frailea phaeodiscaSN|3534]]SN|3669]] has a long, tapered fusiform root, with fine lateral diffuse roots.

Flowers

2,2-3,5 long, 2,2-4 cm in diameter, tepals acuminate, sulphur-yellow or paler. Stigma-lobes 6-7 up to 3,5 mm long.

Spines

Many, not differentiated as centrals and radials.

Ribs

22-26(-30) completely flat or divided into very low tubercles and recognisable only by the straight, dark, vertical line marking each sinus, with dark purple-brown lunate, markings beneath the areoles.

Stem

Simple, disk-shaped to flattened globose, 1,5-3 tall, 1,5-5,5(-7) cm in diameter pale to dark grey-green or dark brown.

Fruits

10 mm across.

Habit

It is a small solitary (unless damaged) perennial stem succulent that grows deep seated flat to the ground surface. Only in cultivation plants may have a spherical till columnar shape.

Note

Frailea phaeodiscaSN|3524]]SN|3669]] is a poorly understood taxon that is sometimes regarded as no more than a variety of another dwarf species, Frailea pygmaeaSN|3669]]SN|3317]].

Radial Spines

6-14 small, pectinate, not interlaced 1-2,5(-4) mm long, glassy white, brownish black at base, completely adpressed.

Areoles

Elongate with violet-black or brownish black felt.