Xerophyte

Habit

Solitary, slow growing geophyte cactus with tubercles slightly projecting above ground level. The tuberous body is mostly below the soil.

Seeds

Black, tuberculate-roughened.

Description

Ariocarpus fissuratusSN|2114]]SN|2114]] var. lloydii is traditionally distinguished from var. fissuratus by its higher, somewhat rounded and more convex stem appearing above the ground.

Roots

Each plant has a large turnip-like taproot, which lies below the soil surface and serves for water storage.

Tubercles

The tubercles of var. lloydii are very different from those of the standard Ariocarpus fissuratusSN|2114]]SN|2114]] and easily recognizable. They are imbricated, ovate, broad at base and usually more rounded at the apex, about 2 to 3 cm wide. They lack edges and lateral longitudinal furrow (or are only weakly fissured). They are only finely rugose with quite coarse, often confluent papillae in the whole surface which form transversal ledges and irregularly warty.

Flowers

These plants have a woolly crown, from which emerge 3 to 4 cm broad, white to purple (usually pink) 2 times wider than long when fully expanded. Inner perianth-segments oblong-oblanceolate; style and stigma-lobes white.

Blooming Season

October, November. Flowers last for 3 to 4 days.

Crested Growth

The crested Star Rock (Ariocarpus fissuratusSN|2114]]SN|2114]] var. lloydii f. cristata) is a very rare, slow-growing and highly priced crested cactus forming odd sculptural shapes. Its stems fan out and can get very big making a spectacular specimen. The crested form - despite to its beauty - is still very rare, pricey and sought after by collectors.

Stem

Grey, or olive-green, fan shaped slowly forming brain-shaped cushion that can reach a considerable size (up to 3-12 cm high and 70 cm in diameter, or more).

Fruits

Ovoidal, pale green.

Areoles

Filled with a dense mass of hairs, up to 3 mm wide, sometimes confined to middle of tubercle faces instead of extending to tips.