Xerophyte

Central Spines

One (or two) of the same length.

Seeds

Microsemineum type, section pirisemineum, very small (0.6 X 0.4mm), testa reddish shining and smooth.

Description

Gymnocalycium marquezii is a solitary or slowly clustering cactus, with peculiar spine clusters characteristically bent backward in a distinctive fashion. It is very similar in structure to Gymnocalycium pfanzii var. riograndense but has shark mat type skin, dark coppery red stem and dark spines.

Roots

Fibrous

Note

G. marquezii

Flowers

Infundibuliform near the apex, diameter and height 45-50mm. Pericarpell dull green very short. External tepals spatulate, slightly bent outward , white with brownish green midrib. Inner tepals intern narrower, spatulate and slightly denticulate, white with carmine/pink purplish throat. Style carmine with carmine pink 10-12 lobes. Pollen yellow.

Spines

Strong, very stiff, bent backward, initially blackish with a brown base then becoming grey-pinkish to whitish brown with black point.

Ribs

10 to 12 thick, large, divided into polygonal rounded (not chinned) tubercles, separated by arched furrows.

Stem

Flattened-globose,10-15 (25)cm in diameter, 10 cm tall, pale green, to olive green that can tinge of orangish purple in full sun. The epidermis has a velvety appearance. The apex is slightly depressed and woolly.

Radial Spines

(5-)7-9 up to 25 mm long

Fruits

Globose of approximately 2 cm of diameter, becoming red carmine with maturity. Pulp intense cherry-red.

Areoles

Large long, oval 10x14 mm, with cream-yellowish wool, then blackish dismantling with time.