Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-5, more or less thick 15-80 mm long.

Roots

Fibrous, arising from short taproots. Root system often separated by a narrower neck.

Flowers

Diurnal, 3,5-5 cm long and broad, closely packed apically from young areoles, funnel-form, the colour is whitish, pinkish or reddish with red/brownish midveins. Pericarpel and floral tube with bracts, wool and bristles, but flower base not bristly.

Spines

Black or brown, stiff, more or less curved upward & twisted that are not easily distinguished as centrals or radials.

Ribs

10-12 noticeably tubercled with pronounced chinlike protrusions.

Stem

Blackish, brownish or dark olive green, often with a greyish-white waxy coating presumably to prevent dessication in it's extremely dry environment. In cultivation the white waxy bloom is often not produced, revealing the brownish/blakish epidermis.

Radial Spines

6-8, thinner, sometime bristly 10-50 mm long.

Fruits

More or less elongated, pinkis-red deishing by basal pores.

Areoles

Often somewhat sunken and woolly.