Xerophyte

Habit

It is a s small perennial stem succulent, usually solitary, rarely offsetting or many-stemmed forming low, flat clusters that grow deeply seated flat to the ground surface. Only in cultivation plants may have a spherical till columnar shape.

Description

Frailea buenekeriSN|3534]]SN|3534]] is one of the smallest of the globular species that does not exceed 2 cm in height or diameter. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. densispina Hofacker & Herm.

Roots

Strongly tuberous, more or less conical, with fine lateral diffuse roots.

Note

Frailea buenekeriSN|3534]]SN|3534]] was named in honour of Heinrich Büneker (1900-1971), collector of the type.

Flowers

Sulphur yellow, sometimes with reddish midveins, 2.5-4 cm long, 2.5-6 cm in diameter.

Spines

8-11, white, pectinate, 1-2 mm long.

Ribs

Low, and tuberculate with dark purple “moons” under their areoles .

Stem

Depressed globose, reddish brown with the epidermis finely dotted, 1.5-2 cm tall, 1.5-2 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Reddish brown, 1-2 cm long, 7-13 mm in diameter.

Areoles

Oval, to 1 mm long.