Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small geophytic cactus that usually grows solitary.

Central Spines

1, strong, up to 3 cm (but sometimeup 4-6 cm), curved or slightly hooked and thickened basally.

Roots

Thick taproot.

Flowers

Arising from the basal tubercles on the side of the plant, about 50 mm long and in diameter, ochre orange to dark purple-red with a purple-violet to black hymen (or throat ring of the flower), which is thickened at the edge and glossy.

Spines

Of different length, usually straight or slightly bent, directed upward, pink white with brown tips, later grey.

Ribs

16 compressed, straight running downward or spiralling and divided into slanting tubercles 8-10 mm long, chinned and keeled below, whose arrangement creates the impression of a wavy line.

Stem

Soft, up to 60 mm in diameter, grey-green, at first spherical, egg-shaped, then elongate as they ages. The crown is slightly depressed and covered with whitish wool

Radial Spines

8-14, about 1 cm long, thin, somewhat flexible, slightlybent, pink white with brown tips.

Fruits and Seeds

As in the other varieties.

Areoles

Oval, 5 mm long, white-tomentose.