Xerophyte

Description

Plants of this genus are relatively easy to cross-pollinate and hybridize. Some species hybridize easily while some not. One much sought after result is to cross Discocactus horstii and Discocactus christallophylus in order to produce a plant that would have the intensely coloured epidermis and pronounced rib structure with short pines of the former and the intense floral fragrance of the latter. This is a strong plant that form a white cephalium at maturity, and that - with good treatment - should flower on and off throughout the year. This hybrid produces flowers in great profusion.

Flowers

Nocturnal, very fragrant up to 7-8 cm long, 6 cm in diameter.

Blooming Season

Flowers come in profusion in summer, out of the cephalium.

Spines

5-7 (or more) light coloured (brown to reddish when very young) recurved backwards in a comb like arrangement, 4-10 mm long.

Stem

Solitary, flattened globose or shaped like a cake up to 6 cm tall, 10 cm in diameter. The epidermis is tannish-green to dark brownish-green.