Xerophyte

Central Spines

12 radials, 5-8 mm long.

Description

Solitary (may branch if the growing tip is damaged)

Roots

Strong tuberous roots

Flowers

White with pink midstripes, on summer days, 2 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter.

Stem

Grey-green , 4-6 cm in diameter spherical to turbinate, that become narrower at the collar. It is composed of hard, spirally arranged rhomboid and close-set 4-angled tubercles. These tubercules are flattened and almost truncated above, and somewhat horny or keeled below.

Fruits

without scales, that split open when ripe.