Xerophyte

Seeds

Blackish, obliquely hemispheric reticulated in 0,5-1,5 mm diameter.

Description

Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] is a miniature globose cactus, erect, unbranched or in small clumps, not deep-seated in substrate, appearing ashy grey and relatively rough in general aspect.

Roots

Diffuse (usually) or tap-root (in some populations) also tuberlike (see

Note

Epithelantha micromerisSN|6936]]SN|6936]] var. micromeris has some of the smallest flowers among cactus species. Unlike other taxa in this genus, it is Autogamous. Its fruit are known in mexico as "chilitos."

Tubercles

Numerous, not confluent into ribs, hemispheric or short cylindric, very low, ca. 1(-3) mm long arranged in tight spirals around the plant.

Stem

Unsegmented, mostly spheric or obovoidal, rarely cylindric, often flat-topped with a depressed centre, 1-5(-9)cm tall and up to 2-4 (-7,5) cm in diameter, occasionally more; surface completely obscured by spines; cortex and pith are not mucilaginous.

Fruits

Indehiscent, bright red, thin narrowly cylindric, 3-20 × 2-3(-5) mm, weakly succulent, soon drying and papery, smooth, spineless; pulp absent; floral remnant deciduous. Fruiting late spring-early summer (Apr-Jun).

Areoles

Small at tips of tubercles, 1 mm long, nearly circular, elliptic when distended by flower or fruit, slightly woolly when young, copiously woolly only at sexually mature stem apex; areolar glands absent;