Xerophyte

Leaves

The leaves are very small and fall off early.

Seeds

4 mm large covered with a tender arillum.

Description

(Identifying Characteristics)

Roots

This plant has deep tuberous roots with only 1 to 3 cm growing above ground level.

Tubercles

Rhomboidal.

Flowers

The blossoms 2,5 to 3 cm. long have a larger diameter than the segments is one of the reasons why Puna subterraneaSN|10776]]SN|10776]] sometimes is named 'Rebutia of the Opuntias'. At North of Argentina the colour of the blossoms is rather variable; each specimen seem to show a different colour. The flower colour ranges from brown to deep rose red to a pale yellowish rose and rare, but possible with almost white. Pericarpels without areoles but with a few scales bearing hairs and long bristles in the axils.

Glochids

None or few in the basal areoles about 1 mm long.

Blooming Season

Time The flowering is diurnal and takes place during the summer.

Spines

1 to 7(-10) pectinated, more or less bent toward the plants body.

Stem

Grayish-green, to brownish, round in cross section, elongate, up to 6 cm wide and (but usually less around 15-18 mm in diameter) and 2-4 cm tall. The stems reduces greatly in volume during the dry season often retracting the plant underground.

Fruits

Globose, 12-15 mm in diameter, dry indehiscent (it cannot open by itself )