Xerophyte

Habit

It is a low growing cactus species both solitary or forming clusters.

Central Spines

Almost always missing (or rarely 1, straight, terete).

Seeds

Black.

Flowers

1-3 per plant, diurnal, very showy, abundant, scented, pink-purple to scarlet, 4 to 6 cm long and wide; perianth-segments crimson at base, broad, oblong to oblanceolate, acuminate, nearly 4 cm. long; areoles on flower-tube very woolly as well as spiny.

Blooming Season

Late April/Early May to Late June.

Spines

All radials, 12-15(-20), spreading but not widely, 5 to 7 mm long, pale brown to reddish or nearly white below.

Ribs

13-15, low and broad.

Stem

Erect, cylindrical or short cylindrical, 5 to 10 cm high.

Fruits

Ovoid green, olive green, or dark green, fruit up to 28 mm long; fruiting 1.5-2.5 months after flowering.

Areoles

Elliptic elongated very closely set; distance between the areoles about equal to the length of the areoles themselves.