Xerophyte

Description

Aztekium ritteriSN|4248]]SN|4248]] is a tiny globular cactus, seldom exceeding 5 cm in diameter and rather less in height, with 9 to 11 rounded ribs, these are in turn crossed by numerous horizontal furrows. Between these true ribs are small secondary ribs, reaching about halfway up the plant body. The colour of the younger growth is a rather pale yellowish green, merging to grey-green on the lower, older growth. The centre of the cactus contains a lot of white wool. Once the plant body has reached full size it slowly offsets, and small clumps are commonly found. It does not develop a large storage root.

Flowers

Small (less than 10 mm wide) from the plant tip, white to pink, and usually the outer petals have a darker mid-stripe. It flowers freely in cultivation throughout the summer months. They are followed by small pink fruit that open when ripe and let out tiny seeds.

Spines

1 to 3 small, weak, often missing from the youngest areoles. The older areoles form a more or less continuous line along the centre of the true ribs.