Xerophyte

Note

This species is quite variable in morphology, globose to somewhat elongated (in cultivation), solitary or sending out many suckers from the base and sides. The odd proliferating form is the more common in cultivation, and may probably considered a morphological variant or mutant. The ribs in the proliferating form are usually less (8 or 9) bright green, and the spines are only to 4-7, thinner, bristle-like, yellowish-white or brownish, later grey. ( see

Flowers

3-3.5 cm long, 3-4.5 cm in diameter, outside brownish with bright white or greenish-white inner petals.

Spines

Young areoles bears about 7(-9) radial spines, slightly recurved, 2-3 cm long, brown at first with a lighter base, then darker. Occasionally on older areoles, a central spine can be seen.

Ribs

Up to 21, deeply, divided into large, spirally arranged tubercles..

Stem

Solitary, spherical flattened up to 15 cm in diameter and 7 cm high dull grey-green to olive-brown or bronze-green in full sun.

Fruits

The ripe fruit is glaucous-green or light blue.

Areoles

Sunken in a depression of the tubercles