Copiapoa megarhiza var. microrhiza
Kakteen Südamerika 3: 1081 (1980)
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Copiapoa megarhiza var. microrhiza
Author
F.Ritter
Chinese genus
龙爪球属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Habit
Usually it grows solitary, but branched specimens are not rare.
Central Spines
Up to 6 approx 15-40 mm long.
Description
Copiapoa megarhizaSN|9765]]SN|9765]] var. microrhiza today it is only a synonym of Copiapoa megarhizaSN|9765]]SN|9765]], however some differences permits to distinguish it from the standard species. The most distinguishing features of this variety are the smaller and weaker roots-sysytem and the narrower neck between the stem and the the rootstock. However the two plants are quite similar and it is hard to tell apart one from the others.
Roots
Swollen taproot.
Flowers
2,5 to 4 cm long.
Spines
Yellow to black, becoming gray as they age.
Ribs
10-21 tuberculated.
Stem
Depressed globular to slightly cylindrical, grey-green 5-10 cm in diameter.
Radial Spines
8-10 and measuring 5-25 mm in length.
Fruits
Covered with little green scales and measuring about 1 cm in diameter.
Areoles
Separated 7-10 mm in diameter, brown or light brown (areoles of Copiapoa megarhizaSN|9765]]SN|9765]] are usually only 4-7 mm in diameter).