Xerophyte

Description

Frailea angelesiiSN|21487]]SN|21487]] is a miniature slow-growing species. It branches from the base, and eventually produces small clumps .

Roots

Fat central tap root.

Note

This plant is short-living (It only lives about 10-15 years).

Flowers

Infundibuliform, larger than the plant itself, sulphur-yellow, 2,5 cm in diameter. But don't be disappointed when the easily produced buds fail to open.Fraileas are cleistogamous, meaning that their flowers are internally pollinated and produce seed without even opening. Without the need for pollination, the buds rarely reach full bloom and remain closed. They will open only in great heat, in the hottest, brightest, afternoon sun, if at all.

Spines

Ginger coloured, spreading, thin, 1,5-3 mm long.

Ribs

About 13, with round and tapering tubercles, with a very dark purple-brown lunate, markings beneath the areoles.

Stem

It is diminutive in size, shortly columnar, shiny dark-purple or dark-brown, up to 3 cm in height (or more in cultivation), 2-2,5 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Dry, indehiscent, that detach easily, pericarp membranous, fragile that break easily, releasing the seed.

Areoles

Placed on the upper side of the tubercles.