Xerophyte

Habit

It is solitary or slowly clumping, dichotomy also observed.

Description

Turbinicarpus schmiedickeanusSN|12648]]SN|12648]] (subsp. schmiedickeanus) is a tiny cactus species that grows almost completely buried in the ground.

Roots

Taproot.

Note

Twelve controversial subspecies are recognized

Spines

3 (more rarely 4) the lower one longer, up to 2,5 cm, the 2 side spines approximately 1/3 as short and the upper, very often missing, still shorter, flattened below, curved towards the apex and often contorted, grey, corky, rather soft, with transverse fissures. The spines are persistent only on the upper body; below they fall off, and the body and tubercles are corky and bare.

Ribs

completely divided into tubercles that are more or less well-rounded to square to almost short ,conical, 5 mm broad at the base, up to 7 mm long and pointing upwards, arranged in flat spirals.

Stem

Globular more or less depressed, 30-50 mm high, 35-40 mm wide, green, apex with some white wool.

Areoles

On the tip of the tubercle, with a little wool, soon becoming bare.