Xerophyte

Habit

This species always grows solitary.

Seeds

Almost nodular, yellowish brown with very fine protuberances, about 0,7 mm in length, Hilum, white long and thin.

Description

Gymnocalycium eurypleurumSN|21445]]SN|21445]] is a variable low growing species, especially for spination. (Some plants have minimal spination while others seem quite heavily armed).

Flowers

Mostly near the apex, bell-shaped, pure white or white with a hint of lilac, about 30 mm in length and diameter. Inner petals are white to light pink, outer petals are a light purple colour with a dark purple centre strip. Filaments and style are white. Anthers creamy-white to pale yellow.

Blooming Season

It flowers freely throughout the Summer.

Spines

Stout, awl shaped, glassy white to light-brown in clusters of about 7 mostly straight up to 10-30(-60) mm in length, very symetrical, and tending to curve upwards, away from the body of the cactus. Usually there are no central spine. The 1 or 2 central spines (when existing) have the same length.

Ribs

Usually 7-12 (up to 16), very flat and broad, with scarcely evident protuberances and often a small horizontal indention above the areoles.

Stem

Glossy green, dull olive-green to brownish, flattish globular (mature plants may become slightly short columnar) 7-15(-20) cm across, with a somewhat sunken apex.

Fruits

Round or barrel shaped, about 20 mm in diameter, red with scales of the same colour, fruits are juicy and of a carmine colour.

Areoles

Covered by some tomentum.