Xerophyte

Description

It has a woolly, spiny apex; the ribs are slender deeply notched wavy and corrugated; Areoles are at first covered with white felt. The beautiful crested form is very rare in collection and highly priced.

Flowers

The flowers are 2 (2,5) cm. long, often remain squeezed between the apical spines, and have pale yellow, creamy-white or pink segments with a darker mid-stripe.

Spines

Centrals 1 or 2 (to 4), growing one above the other, which of variable length up to7 cm. long. They are sharp and needlelike, sometimes flattened, pointing upward at first and then outward, brownish-black at their apex and somewhat reddish lower down. Radials (10 to) 15 to 25 slender, almost transparent white, 1-1.5 cm long straight or slightly curved, and radially arranged, overlapping each other above the ribs.