Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small and slow-growing, geophytic cactus rising barely above ground level.

Description

Ariocarpus scaphirostris var. swobodaeSN|13521]]SN|2165]] is a geographical forms of Ariocarpus scaphirostrisSN|2165]]SN|13521]] which differs from the standard species only for its very soft tubercles, but is likely to fall within the natural variation of the species.

Roots

Thick underground carrot-like root.

Tubercles

Few divergent, erect spineless, not crowded or basally compressed, bluntly pointed at the apexes, very soft, flattened and smooth adaxially, fissured, slightly incurved, 1,5-4 cm long, 5-8 mm broad, at least twice as long as wide, grey wool between the tubercles.

Flowers

Diurnal, self-fertile, bright dark purple, up to 4 cm.

Blooming Season

Flowers in the Autumn, it flowers and fruits profusely.

Stem

Smaller solitary, subglobose or globose, more or less rounded on top, 3-6 cm in diameter and 2-6 cm tall (occasionally bigger in cultivated plants).

Fruits

Greenish, 9-15 mm long 4-8 mm in diameter.