Xerophyte

Central Spines

Has a very short but strong, recurving brownish-grey, large central spine. Slightly hooked or just with a slight kink at the end. Very dark red to almost black that can take a chalky colour ageing.

Seeds

Black. shining.

Flowers

Orange/Yellow and have orange or red midviens.

Stem

Round to elongated dark green 25-40 cm in diameter 40-100 tall.

Radial Spines

7-10 short, straight but stout

Other

This peculiar variety has both tubercles with spiny areoles and smooth tubercles without areoles, the plants, that are raised from seeds are quite variable both in size and form of tubercles and in ratio of spineless tubercles. The "chins" of juvenile seedling usually bear a spiny areole, but as the plant older the chins start loosing their spines. Sometime, especially in very old specimens, the chins becomes completely naked without areoles, smooth and shining. A large well grown plant is truly an achievement. The plants with mostly spineless tubercles just at a juvenile stage are very rare and highly priced by collectors.

Fruits

Lemon yellow.