Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-3, to 25(-30) mm long.

Description

Matucana aurantiacaSN|20617]]SN|3774]] subs. polzii (Matucana polziiSN|3774]]SN|20617]]) is a relatively small clustering cactus with a strange squat stems up to 5 cm tall, up to 8-10 cm in diameter. It offsets strongly, with even small heads covered with numerous pups reaching only 2-5 cm across. In age forms huge cushion up to 30-40 cm in diameter whit hundreds of heads. The spines are short, pectinate and widely spaced

Roots

Fibrous, not taproots.

Note

This member of the Cactaceae family was given this name by Frank Polz (fl. 1986), German cactus and succulent plant enthusiast in München.

Flowers

Funnel-shaped, slightly curved, dark carmine red to orange, 5-7 cm long, 3.5-5 cm in diameter.

Spines

The spines are tiny, flexible, pectinate and widely spaced whitish, to brownish-yellow to black on tips, later grey, sometimes slightly curved.

Ribs

9-16, flat, rounded, with transverse grooves, usually straight or slightly twisted.

Stem

Spherical more or less flattened, grass-green, to 5 cm high and 8 cm in diameter branching basally and from the sides. Side shoots often very numerous and smaller.

Radial Spines

6-12(-13), 6-18(-20) mm long, mostly yellowish-white.

Fruits

Oval, purplish brown, 5-7 mm in diameter.

Areoles

Oval, up to 8 mm in length and 3 mm in width, covered with pale cream to white hairs, over time grey and bare.