Xerophyte

Central Spines

2 (rarely to 4), yellowish brown, downward pointing, upper one short, lower one curved up to 2 cm long.

Description

Coryphantha erectaSN|3941]]SN|3941]], as the name implies, is a large, columnar species, simple at first, eventually clustering from the base and does not have stolons or taproots. Although this species may be grown in specialist collections it is not widely sought after as an ornamental.

Tubercles

Loosely arranged, obliquely conic, c. 8 mm tall, somewhat rhombiform at base; axils of young tubercles white-woolly and small yellow glands. A groove on the top of the tubercule, connecting the growing points, is characteristic of the genus Coryphantha and distinguishes it from Mammillaria, however {Coryphantha erectaSN|3941]]SN|3941]]} may have grooved and grooveless tubercles on the same mature heads at the same time, or may change the form of its growth back and forth from the one to the other.

Flowers

Flowers short funnelform, nearly rotate, variable in size usually large, 5-6 cm long, 5-7 cm Ø, yellow; perianth-segments very narrow.

Stem

Cylindrical, yellowish green to vivid green, 30 (rarely to 50) tall, 5-8 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

8 to 14 (rarely to 18), yellowish, amber-yellow or golden brown, spreading, straight, subulate to awl shaped, ascending, to 1.2 cm long.

Fruits

Cylindrical, 1.5-2 cm long, to 1 cm in diameter, green.