Xerophyte

Seeds

Dark brown to black, 2.5–3.5 × 1.5–3 mm; testa with rounded papillae.

Description

Sclerocactus parviflorusSN|19477]]SN|19477]] is the most frequent and well known cactus of the cold American deserts. Due to its vast region of origin the plants vary in the amount and colouring of hooked central spines as well as in flower colour. The plant dimensions vary from minuscule plants of only a few cm living almost buried in the ground, to the largest plants up to 45cm and 15 cm in diameter. The scientific classification of this plant has been controversial. Many names, forms, subspecies or varieties have been proposed and changed.

Flowers

The crown of campanulate flowers in late spring are spectacular, pleasantly perfumed, usually rose to purple, pink, but also multicolour, yellow or (rarely) white.

Blooming Season

April-May (spring)

Spines

Often obscuring stems; radial spines 8-17 per areole, usually white, sometimes brown or purplish pink, 6-36 mm; central spines 4-8 per areole, 1-5 hooked usually purple- black, hooked, 15-72 mm; lateral spines 2-6 per areole, similar to centrals, usually shorter and not not hooked usually white (rarely gray, straw colored, pink, or reddish brown), flat to angled straight (rarely contorted).

Stem

Usually unbranched, but also branched near the base, 4.5–45 cm tall, 3.5-14.5 cm in diameter, depressed-spheric, spheric, cylindrical, or elongated-cylindric, with tubercles evident on ribs.

Fruits

10-30 mm long, 10-15 mm in diameter Green turning reddish pink with a few membranous fringed scales irregularly dehiscent.