Xerophyte

Habit

Solitary, barely rising above ground level, but often branching basally in cultivation to form clusters.Stem Depressed-spherical, up to 7 cm tall (often more in cultivation) and up to 14 centimetres in diameter, dull greyish green, olive-green or dark-coppery red in full sun.

Central Spines

Usually absent.

Seeds

Nearly spherical pale brown. About 1 mm in diameter including the inconspicuous hilum.

Description

Gymnocalycium marsoneriSN|13338]]SN|13338]] is a globular cactus, rather flattened, with spreading and sometimes recurved spines. They are a rich brown and form a pleasing contrast against the bronze-green body.

Tubercles

Large, prominent, rounded and spirally arranged.

Flowers

Campanulate to infundibuliform, 3-3,5 cm long and 3-4,5 cm in diameter, pale greenish white to white.

Ribs

9-21, divided into tubercles

Radial Spines

5-7 straight to slightly recurved, 2-3 cm long brownish above, lighter below at first, becoming darker with age.

Fruits

Spherical to slightly ovoid, red, purple or bluish green.