Xerophyte

Central Spines

One or none, black to 7 mm long, predominantly directed upward.

Description

Usually solitary in habitat (but in culture it can unwillingly cluster).

Roots

Thick fleshy taproot.

Flowers

2,5-3 cm in length and in diameter, from the base of the stems. White (although there are rarely seen plants with pink blooms). Internal lobes white or pink with the a white base, external pinkish with the a brown strip in the middle. The pistil is green.

Blooming Season

IFlowers profusely in early spring.

Ribs

13-14 spiraling, with distinct tubercles.

Stem

Globose to short cylindrical, dark green to violet, up to 7 cm tall and 3,5 in diameter. It would appear that in cultivation these plants grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.

Radial Spines

7-8, brown, darker at the base, slightly bent downward and covering the stem surface, up to 6 mm long.

Fruits

Berrylike, hidden among the spines, 4-5 mm in diameter, globose, dark violet when ripe.

Areoles

Oval brown.