Xerophyte

Description

Coryphantha difficills (difficult pincushion) is a globose long-lived cactus species that only starts reproducing after 15 years. Although this species may be grown in specialist collections it is not widely sought after as an ornamental. It is recorded as being difficult to maintain in cultivation in Europe. The 2 cm long, curved spines range from white to rust red, have red tips, and do not conceal the stem. When this cactus is active and growing in the summer, the crown of the plant appears to be covered in wool. The shiny, yellow flowers are over 4 c) in diameter and attract attention. Generally, it does not offset into clusters

Roots

Fibrous.

Note

This species is somehow variable in habitat and intergrades and is sympatric with Coryphantha salinensisSN|10432]]SN|10043]]. Coryphantha densispinaSN|14676]]SN|14676]] Werdermann in Fedde, Rep. 30

Tubercles

In 8 and 13 series, flattened broad-conical, appressed, oblique and their outer end points outwards, upper surface grooved. Axils white-woolly.

Flowers

The flowers are large, funnel-shaped, 6-8 cm diameter, purely yellow, without any red in the throat. Filaments shiny yellow, anthers yellowish, stigma yellowish with 7-8 whitish lobes.

Stem

Mostly solitary, spherical to short cylindrical flat or slightly depressed on the top, white-woolly, bluish-grey-green to dull green, up to 8-14 cm tall, 5-8 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

12 to 14(-20) , lower and lateral 6-9 strongest and shortest, subulate, straight, radiating and horizon-tally arranged, 8-10 mm long, the upper 7-10 in a bundle, firm, needle-like, straight, up to 2 cm long ( Similarly to Coryphantha salinensisSN|10432]]SN|10043]] two types of radial spines can be differentiated

Fruits

Roundish, green, juicy 18 mm long, 14 mm diameter with attached flower remnants.

Areoles

Round, 3 mm diameter, white-woolly in youth.