Xerophyte

Central Spines

4, lowest about 60 mm long, ca. 2 mm wide near base somewhat down-curving, dull grey tipped brownish. Lateral centrals spreading-ascending variably 30-50 mm long.

Description

Solitary or occasionally scarcely cespitose.

Flowers

30-40 mm in diameter, 30-35 mm long palest translucent shiny pink, with darker pink mid stripe, darker and broader towards the base, rarely almost pale translucent creamy white, even on same plants as pale rose flowers. Anthers bright yellow.

Blooming Season

December through February (or spring)

Ribs

completely divided into tubercles arranged in 8 and 13 spirals, about 15 mm high and 15 mm wide at base.

Stem

Pale green bronzing to dull purple red in sun and cold, 12 cm in diameter, 7.5 cm high.

Radial Spines

Of two types, 7 heavy acicular in lower half of areole, spreading, radiating, and 7 in the upper half, fine acicular, almost bristle-like.

Fruits

Elongating at maturity to 20 mm long, ca. 13 mm wide, purplish red fading to yellowish towards the base, with small, triangular scales.

Areoles

Slightly below the tip on the outer side of rounded tubercle, the floriferous portion is a narrow extension approximately 3 or 4 mm long on the inner side of the tubercle tip.