Xerophyte

Central Spines

Dark brown/grey, 1 to 4, up to 1.5(-2) cm long; the spines are close set, neatly arranged, straight, often interlacing, but are

Description

Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] ssp. horrida is a solitary cactus 50- 100 cm tall.

Note

The Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] ssp. horrida and all the other plants belonging to the Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] complex are very variable in habitat, it has three recognized subspecies, but a multitude of different forms exist, where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics.

Flowers

Diurnal, funnel-shaped greenish yellow. They are 15 mm long, 12 mm in diameter.

Blooming Season

Flowers come sporadically from Early spring to Late Summer.

Ribs

23 to 40, acute, vertical and prominent.

Stem

Up to 18 cm wide, although usually globular or slightly elongated in cultivation, it is reported to grow to as much as 100 cm tall. It is greener than the type reddish-green to brownish-green, with off-white scales. (In cultivation the colour of the plants depends on sun exposure, the plants grown in shadow are green with white stripes, while the ones in full sun take on a purple colour)

Radial Spines

Absent.

Fruits

pear shaped to cylindrical violet-red 1,5-2,5 cm long.

Areoles

Set closely and nearly confluent to form an almost continuous grey to brownish felt-like line down the ribs' sides.