Xerophyte

Habit

Plants usually solitary or (rarely) forming just a few offsets around the base.

Central Spines

1-4, brown, dark-tipped, 2-3.5 cm long.

Description

Matucana inertexta is a low-growing, globular cactus from Peru. This plant is a possible relative of Matucana aurantiaca but differing in having 15-25 crenate ribs, 1-4 brown tipped central spines and golden yellow flowers tipped in red.

Note

Matucana inertexta along with the related Matucana formosaSN|6089]]SN|5976]], Matucana weberbaueriSN|5976]]SN|6089]], Matucana huagalensis and Matucana ritteri is part of the Matucana aurantiaca group.

Flowers

Somewhat radially symmetrical (not zigomorphyc) slender up to 7 cm long, 3 cm wide. Perianth segments golden yellow to pale-orange (occasionally pink), apices blood red or violet.

Blooming Season

Spring to early summer.

Ribs

15-25, crenate.

Stem

Depressed to somewhat cylindrical (particularly in cultivation), green up to 18 cm broad, about 20 cm tall rarely up to 30 cm.

Radial Spines

8-12, intertwined 8-20 mm long. Morphological form with finer and darker spines are also reported.