Xerophyte

Description

Solitary spherical to short cylindrical cacti with very spiny stems, up to 15 (30-40) cm tall, 6 -10 cm in diameter.

Roots

taproot.

Flowers

magnificent hot pink/magenta with a contrasting neon yellow throats in spring up to 5 cm long.

Spines

variable between different populations , the type plant have strong long brown-black spines that become greyish as they age and almost obscure the plant, while others have spines that are much shorter or thinner.

Stem

Dark green to very dark purple-black.