Xerophyte

Description

Ariocarpus scapharostris is a slow-growing grey-green, geophytic cactus rising barely above ground level.

Roots

Thick underground carrot-like root.

Note

All of the Ariocarpus seedlings are spiny and quite different from adult specimens, though the spines are feather-like.

Tubercles

Few divergent, erect spineless , not crowded or basally compressed, bluntly pointed at the apices, 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 up to 9-15 cm Ø in cultivated plants).

Fruits

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