Xerophyte

Central Spines

None or rarely 1 to 3.6 cm in length and 0.8 mm in diameter. Cephalium

Description

Discocactus zehntneri v. horstiorum is a squat tiny little cactus with dark tipped yellowish spines, the flowers are up to 9 cm long. It has tuberous roots. Although having been described as a distinct taxon, it cannot be satisfactorily separated from Discocactus zehntneriSN|12925]]SN|12925]] subs. boomianus based on morphology. In culture it produces just like boomianus many offsets.

Note

This plant is part of the Discocactus zehentneri complex which comprises several variable subordinates taxa, but not all are universally recognized.

Flowers

White, scented, slender funnelform, up to 9 cm long. The position of the stigma is at the top of the stamens. Each flowering lasts only one night, but that night it produces many flowers.

Ribs

13 – 26 (mostly 16), somewhat spiraled, forming nipple-like tubercles, height of rib at the areole 3 -13 mm, between areoles absent or rarely to 7 mm tall, width of rib at the areole 7-16 mm, between areoles 3-12 nn.

Stem

Strongly caespitose, dull-green 4.2 –9.7 in diameter and 1.5 – 6.4 cm tall (often larger in cultivation especially if grafted).

Fruits

Club-shaped red 2,5 cm long. The plant produces seed-pods twice a year, when it flowers.

Areoles

Oval, sunken, 2-7 (mostly 5) per ribs.