Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually 1 to 4, unequal, stouter than the radials, curly, often hooked, 3-6 cm long.

Description

It is a very interesting but extremely variable species, with many forms and varieties. It is a geophyte cactus, usually solitary, or slowly branching to form small clumps.

Roots

Large taproot, carrotlike.

Flowers

Diurnal, broadly funnel-form, yellow to purple with usually a white or yellowish-cream throat circle, 3-4 cm wide, inner perianth segments spatulate to obovate, obtuse, stigma lobes 9-12, white. Scales on flower tube with long wool.

Spines

Heavy, curving, yellowish, pink/brown, orangish dark brown or black..

Ribs

8 to 15, vertical or slightly spiralling, somewhat tuberculate, obtuse, narrow.

Stem

Somewhat depressed, globose to short cylindrical. Silky, somewhat shining, grey-green, bluish, olive- green to pinkish or brownish-green, 5-8(-12) cm tall, 5-7 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

6 to 12, slender ± interlacing, needle-like, and more or less appressed, 05-1cm long, pale grey with a darker yellow tip.

Fruits

Globose to ovoid, green to brownish-violet, semidry, dehiscent.

Areoles

Nearly circular, 5-6 mm in diameter, white, felted.