Xerophyte

Habit

It is a s small depressed perennial stem succulent that do usually not sprout much in nature, but in culture with age begins to clump around the base and grow oddly. It grows deep seated flat to the ground surface. Only in cultivation plants may have a spherical till columnar shape.

Central Spines

Absent or 1-2.

Seeds

Comparatively large, black and shining, up to 2 mm wide, with a triangular, deeply concave face.

Roots

The rootstock is fleshy, turnip-like, with fine diffuse roots.

Flowers

Apical, diurnal, radial, sulphur yellow from the top of the plant, sometimes larger than the plant itself (4 cm diameter). But don't be disappointed when the easily produced buds fail to open. Fraileas are cleistogamous meaning that their flowers produce seed without even opening. Without the need for pollination, hence the buds rarely reach full bloom and remain closed. They will open only in great heat in the hottest, brightest, afternoon sun, if at all.

Ribs

less than 18 with low and broad tubercles flatted above with a purple-brown lunate, blots situated below the areoles.

Stem

Spherical-depressed, dull-green to dirty bronze, up to 4 cm in diameter, 2,5 cm tall more or less imbilicate at apex

Radial Spines

5-9 straight or slightly curved inward, up to 4 mm long, deciduous or persistent, adpressed to spreading, whitish, yellowish grey, amber coloured or reddish brown to almost black.

Fruits

Dry indehiscent with scales and bristles that detach easily, pericarp membranous, fragile that break easily releasing the seed.

Areoles

Rounded with conspicuous whitish wool.