Xerophyte

Central Spines

3-4, 15-75 mm long, ochre to reddish, straight, acicular or slightly bent inwards.

Description

Globular usually solitary cacti up to 10 cm in diameter.

Note

This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other cacti) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics. Five subspecies are recognized, the nominate form, subsp. bolaensis (Runge) Doweld, subsp.,flavidispinus (Backeb.) N.P.Taylor, subsp. heterochromus (F.A.C.Weber) Mosco & Zanov. and subsp. schwarzii (Backeb.) N.P.Taylor.

Tubercles

Rounded.

Flowers

55-110 mm wide, magenta with a red throat from early spring to autumn.

Ribs

8, distinct.

Stem

Ovoidal, 8-20 cm tall, 5-12 cm wide.

Radial Spines

8-18, 10-30 mm long, ochre to reddish, straight, acicular.

Areoles

With glands.