Xerophyte

Central Spines

None.

Seeds

Helmet-like, shiny dark maroon to blackish brown, (0,92-)1,0-1,2 mm long and 1,0-1,2(-1,3) mm wide (subgenus Microsemineum).

Description

Gymnocalycium esperanzaeSN|23796]]SN|23796]] is an attractive species with flattened stems covered with a conspicuous grey bloom.

Roots

Carrot-like unbranched or branched only apically.

Flowers

salver-shaped, (45-)55-60(-70) mm long and 35-40 mm wide; whitish-rose to pale pink, at base often pale purplish or pale rose. Style yellowish-white; stigma pale yellowish, 10-lobed. Stamens-filaments pale greenish, lower part of lower filaments slightly rose, anthers pale yellowish.

Stem

5-9(-16) cm in diameter and 5-8(-12) cm tall flattened-globose to globose epidermis greenish-brown or greenish-grey with a conspicuous grey bloom.Ribs; (7-)9-12(-16), straight, shallow and flat in young plants becoming notched in adult specimen..

Radial Spines

3-5(-7) if 3 in number making a T shape, if 5 or 7 in number then the upper pairs the shortest, (8-)12-18(-25) mm long brown, black, bluish-grey, pale purple or horn-coloured.

Fruits

(20-)22-30(-35) mm long and 15-18 mm wide spindle shape to clavate, greyish-green to bluish-green to pale brownish.

Areoles

Round to elongate, 7-15(-18) mm apart from each other, slightly sunken, with yellowish, greyish or blackish wool, almost bare with age.