Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent, sometimes 2, coppery-red with dark tips, 10 - 15 mm long.

Seeds

Brown.

Roots

Fibrous.

Tubercles

Tubercles slender conical arranged in perfect spiral in a few rows. The axil is naked or nearly so.

Flowers

At the upper part of the plant, whitish or pale yellow. Perianth segments about 12, rather broad, obtuse or sometimes apiculate sometimes flushed pink or with pink midstripes, to 10 mm long and in diameter.

Blooming Season

Spring, but can bloom for a second time later in the year.

Stem

Elongated cylindrical, finger-like, 1 - 3 cm in diameter3-10 cm long.

Radial Spines

14 - 25 interlocking, arranged as a star, variable in number, white amber to coppery-red, the degree of brown colouring varying from plant to plant, slender, needle-like, more or less recurved 4-12 mm long.

Fruits

Pink, becoming red.

Areoles

Pubescent when young.