Xerophyte

Central Spines

None or one, strongly bent upward.

Description

Eriosyce odieri subs. glabrescensSN|2824]]SN|2387]] is a tiny geophyte, with a solitary spherical or flattened stem, slowly growing atop a thick, underground taproot, with a constriction between the stem and the root, eventually becoming somewhat elongated in cultivation. It distinguish from the standard Eriosyce odieriSN|2387]]SN|2824]] for its very short spine, however it is quite variable and short and long spined forms can exist side by side in the same population and intermediate forms occurs too. Moreover a short spined juvenile phase is often followed by a long spined adult phase of the life cycle, but some plants retain the juvenile characteristics even at an old age (Neoteny), while other start soon to produce longer adult spines.

Roots

Forms a tuberous root system with (usually) a very large carrot-like root

Tubercles

Larger than ssp. napina.

Flowers

Approx 3,5 cm long, 4-6 cm in diameter, pale yellowish-red to dull pink with a silky shine, buds densely hairy with brown wool.

Blooming Season

Flowers already when young, synchronised flowering of the whole plants takes place over one or two days, and they remain open for about three or four days.

late spring.

Stem

Slow growing, up to 5-8 cm across, 4-8 cm tall, the colour of the stem is very variable from one specimen to another. It can be glaucous-blue, glossy green or dark purple with brown, olive, grey tones.

Radial Spines

Variable, from very short and thin or almost absent (subsp. glabrescens), to black, recurved, and strong (subs. odieri).

Fruits

Large, red, clavate, wrapped in white wool.

Areoles

Grey.