Xerophyte

Habit

It is a (usually) solitary geophyte succulent plant with a large tap root below the surface of the compost.

Description

Turbinicarpus macrocheleSN|12661]]SN|12661]] subs. frailensis is a small geophytic solitary cactus with a large tap-root, and only the apical part of the stem exposed at soil level.

Note

Subspecies frailensis differs from subspecies macrochele by the lower number of stigma lobes, 3 - 6, these are white to yellowish-white, only 2-3.5 mm long and straight, as well as only weakly papillose; further with only a flowering period at the beginning of the year.

Tubercles

This subspecies has poorly developed tubercles.

Flowers

White or pinkish white, 18 mm long, 3,5 cm in diameter. Stigma lobes 3-6 white, white to yellowish-white, only 2-3.5 mm long and straight, as well as only weakly papillose.

Blooming Season

Blooms come at the beginning of the year.

Spines

0-4 thick and spongy or somewhat papery (sometime as many as 6) up to 4 cm long (or more).

Stem

Up to 35 mm tall, 4,5 cm in diameter, the stem is partly underground, with a woolly spiny apex.

Fruits

Small smooth, hidden in the apical wool, splitting when ripe.