Xerophyte

Habit

It is a geophyte stem succulent plant usually solitary and barely rising above ground level with a swollen underground root system.

Central Spines

Absent.

Description

Gymnocolycium bodenbenderianum is a low-growing, flattish cactus species characterized by brownish-green stems and white flowers often pink flushed. It is commonly known as "Chin-cactus" because of its characteristic tubercles featuring a chin below the areoles.

Flowers

Near the apex, white to pale pink, 3,5 to 6 cm long. Flower tube narrow with green scales tinged brown; outer tepals pale brownish-green; inner perianth-segments linear-lanceolate, white or pinkish. Throat reddish.

Blooming Season

Blooms appear recurrently from June to autumn. It flowers quite readily as a young seedling.

Ribs

11-15 low, rounded and distinctly tuberculate.

Stem

Flat, disc-shaped, 2-3 cm tall and up to 8 cm in diameter, brownish to grey-green,

Radial Spines

3 to 7 up to 10 millimetres long, sharp, stout, but not harmful, backward curved, blackish brown, becoming grey with age.

Fruits

Blue-green, ovoid, up to 2 cm long (or longer) and up to 1 cm in diameter.