Frailea cataphracta subs. duchii
Succulenta (Netherlands) 74: 130 1995
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Frailea cataphracta subs. duchii
Author
(G.Moser) P.J.Braun & Esteves
Chinese genus
士童属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
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.