Xerophyte

Habit

Plants solitary to sometimes branching at the base and forming large mounds up to 40 cm across.

Central Spines

Spines 2-4, awl-like, straight, thicker at base, reddish brown with black tip, 5-7 mm long.

Seeds

Yellowish to brown, pear-shaped, 1 mm long and in diameter.

Axils

With wool and bristles.

Roots

Fibrous.

Flowering Period

Spring (April-May in Europe)

Tubercles

Firm, short and broad pyramidal, 3-4 mm at base.

Flowers

Reddish violet, purplish-red or deep pink, to 13 mm long and across.

Stem

Flattened globose to globose, to 12 cm in diameter and 8 cm high, dull green, apex depressed, somewhat woolly and spiny. With latex.and 9 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

25-30, horizontal radiating, white, bristle like, straight, the uppermost somewhat shorter, to 5 mm long.

Fruits

Club shaped, carmine, 5-6 mm long.