Xerophyte

Seeds

Very small.

Description

Strombocactus disciformisSN|2103]]SN|2103]] is a rare geophytes, usually solitary. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. esperanzae Glass & S. Arias.

Roots

Strong napiform (turnip-like).

Flowers

Arise on the crown, measure about 3.5 cm in length and breadth, are shiny cream coloured with occasional spots at the tip and in the throat, The filaments are white or reddish, the anthers yellow. The 8 to 10 lobed stigma are white or yellowish.

Blooming Season

Flowers emerge early in spring and are freely produced throughout the summer, remaining open for several days.

Spines

4 to 5, erect and dark grey at the tips and pale grey at the base, 1.2 to 2 cm long, they become calcified, they are caducous and in age fall at the stem base.

Stem

The body is flattened or spherical, 3 to 8 cm high, reaching 20 cm in age, and 3 to 9 cm across. The crown is slightly depressed and felted. The colour is blue-green with greyish tinge, the base covered with brown corky spots in age. It is composed of hard, spirally arranged rhomboid and imbricate tubercles, 1 to 1.8 cm high. These tubercules are flattened and almost truncated above and somewhat horny or keeled below.

Fruits

7 mm across, splits down its length.