Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-3, slender, needle-like often somewhat curved upward, rough, dark brown.

Description

Gymnocalycium andreaeSN|10579]]SN|10579]] is a low growing prickly cactus barely rising above ground level, usually solitary in habitat, but often branching basally in cultivation to form clusters to 15 cm or more wide. This species is different from the general run of gymnocalyciums in the colour of its flowers, in this case a brilliant sulphur-yellow.

Roots

Large taproots.

Note

It is clearly related with Gymnocalycium bruchiiSN|14835]]SN|14835]], which grows in the same area but generally at lower altitude

Flowers

Bell-shaped to funnel-shaped, 2,5-4 cm long and up to 5,5 cm in diameter at anthesis, bright satiny-yellow. Tubeless or with a very short tube. Outer perianth segments pale greenish yellow with darker green mid-stripe outside. Inner perianth segments clear sulphur-yellow, narrow to almost spatulate. Style with about 8 stigmatic lobes. Anther yellow.

Blooming Season

Flowers are borne in early summer.

Spines

9-13, weak, all 1-1,5 cm long (or less).

Ribs

8 to 13, straight, flattish, divided into prominent, rounded tubercles, with sharp cross-furrows. Chinlike protrusions absent.

Stem

Spherical or hemispherical, usually depressed at apex, up to 5 cm in diameter dark bluish-green or black- green with a touch of bronze.

Radial Spines

Thin, spreading, 6(-9) lateral and 1 descending, similar to the centrals, dull white or yellow-white, with a chestnut base.

Fruits

Globose to cylindrical, blue-green, approx. 1,2 cm in diameter.