Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small cactus barely rising above ground level, usually solitary in habitat, but often branching basally in cultivation and forming clusters.

Central Spines

Often wanting

Description

Gymnocalycium lukasikiiSN|25309]]SN|25312]] is a small species discovered in 1989. It has brownish-grey stems with large protruding areoles and creamy-white flowers. The spines are brownish thin but firm, directed sideward and downward. G. Charles et Detlev Metzing put it in synonymy with Gymnocalycium taningaenseSN|25312]]SN|25309]].

Roots

Fibrous roots.

Flowers

Slender cream-white, about 5 cm long, 4 cm in diameter.

Spines

Creamy-brown to greyish brown darker at the base, later grey, thin, but hard, needle-like, straight to slightly curved.

Ribs

9-11, shallow, up to 12 mm wide, with weak chinlike protrusions.

Stem

Flattened globose, crown slightly depressed, grey-green to brownish-grey, 4,5-6 cm in diameter and less than 2,5 cm tall (in cultivation up to 4 cm)

Radial Spines

5-7 (Or more), pointing sideways or downward, 3-8 (or more) mm long.

Fruits

Usually oval to club shaped, blue-green, with a grey-bluish pruine coat.

Areoles

Rounded, slightly sunken, 2-3 mm in diameter, white tomentose, 5-7 mm apart.