Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small solitary (unless damaged) perennial stem succulent that grows deep seated flat to the ground surface.

Central Spines

Usually absent.

Seeds

1,5-2 mm long 2,1-3 rum broad, shiny, dark brown, smooth, hilum narrowly oblong-ovate.

Description

Frailea schlosserianaSN|3669]]SN|21481]] is a dwarf cactus with unique and remarkably beautiful shape. It is one of the geographical forms of the variable Frailea phaeodiscaSN|21481]]SN|3669]] and is distinguished for the dark purple “moons” under its areoles and fewer straw-coloured not interlacing spines.

Roots

Long, tapered fusiform root, with fine lateral diffuse roots.

Flowers

2,2-3,5 long, 2,2-4 cm in diameter, tepals acuminate, sulphur-yellow or paler. Stigma-lobes 6-7 up to 3,5 mm long.

Ribs

22-26 completely flat or divided into very low tubercles with dark purple “moons” under each areola.

Stem

Simple, disk-shaped to globose or somewhat elongate, 1,5-3 tall, 1,5-5,5 cm in diameter dark grey-green or dark brown.

Radial Spines

6-14 small, pectinate more or less pointing downward, not interlaced 1-4 mm long, dull creamy-white to orangish, (darker than in the type), completely adpressed.

Fruits

10 mm across.

Areoles

Elongate with dull orangish to brownish (always paler than in the type).