Xerophyte

Description

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]] var. elephantendens is the southerly form of the species characterized by much larger, highly textured, triangulate tubercles, and a deep purple flower with little or no white content. Although they can form clumps, often only a small disc of tubercles can be seen flat at the soil surface, however these plants grow a large tap root below the surface of the compost.

Roots

Each plant has a large turnip-like taproot, which lies below the soil surface and serves for water storage.

Tubercles

The tubercles are deltoid dark olive green and highly textured, with no spines and lie flat on the soil surface. They are more long than wide, closely packed and divergent, sharply angled apically.

Crested Growth

Crested kotschoubeyanus Star Rocks (Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]] var. elephantidens f. cristata) are very rare, slow-growing and highly priced cacti forming odd sculptural shapes. Their stems fan out and can get form a spectacular specimen. The crested form - despite to its beauty - is still very rare, pricey and sought after by collectors.

Stem

Fan shaped barely riding above ground level, flattened, depressed along the line crest on top, slowly forming brain-shaped cushion up to 2-3 cm high and 20 cm in diameter, or more.

Areoles

The tubecles forms a central longitudinal areolar groove extending to the tips on the adaxial surfaces of the tubercles, woolly, 1-3 mm wide, 5-10 mm long.