Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small geophyte cactus, with a heavy tap root that may exceed the size of the plant above soil level. Solitary or often clustering in cultivation.

Seeds

Oblong spherical, about 1 mm long and 0,8 mm wide, brown-black, finely ridged.

Description

Rebutia brunneoradicataSN|4416]]SN|5116]] is one of the many geographical forms of the extremely variable Rebutia pygmaeaSN|5116]]SN|4416]]. It has a distinctive brow tap root, hence the species epithet “brunneoradicata” (brown rooted).

Roots

Tap root brown.

Tubercles

2-3 mm high.

Flowers

From the basal parts of the stem, widely funnel-shaped 25-30 mm wide whitish to red, floral tube 9-12 mm long; scales very narrow, whitish to green 1-2 mm long, axils with white wool, and sometimes one white bristle; outer perianth segments pale purple 15-18 mm long , 5-7 m wide, rounded at the top; Inner perienth segments numerous, scarlet red to crimson purple. Filaments pale purple, 6-10 mm long, anthers light yellow; pistil light green with 5-6 greenish yellow stigma lobes, 1,5 -2 mm long at the height of the highest anthers.

Blooming Season

Flowers all tend to come in one late Spring rush, rather than spread over the Summer.

Spines

All radial, 8-12, thin, bristly, pectinate, 2-3 mm long, black to brown, becoming grey with time.

Ribs

9 to 12 ribs heavily tuberculate.

Stem

1 to 2 cm wide, spherical to slightly oblong, becoming short-cylindrical. Epidermis dull dark green, rarely with a slight purple tinge.

Fruits

Spherical, about 5 mm high.

Areoles

Oval, slightly whitish tomentose, 1-1,5 mm long, 2,5-5 mm apart.