Xerophyte

Habit

Plants sometimes basally branching weakly. Offsets are produced from the base of the main stem. Usually starting just below soil level.

Central Spines

1-2 (often lacking), to 50 mm long.

Flowers

Forming at the apex from new areoles, slightly zygomorphic, tending to lean on one side, slightly curved, carmine red, 6-7 cm long, 4-5 cm in diameter.

Blooming Season

Flowers more than once in several flushes throughout the summer.

Spines

Brown with yellowish bases, becoming grey with age, more or less flexible.

Ribs

10-12, straight, broad, noticeably tuberculate.

Stem

Globose to to elongate, green, grey-green to blue-green, to 15(-30) cm high and10 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

6-9, 5-20 mm long curved inward.

Fruits

Globose to oval, purplish green, to 10 mm in diameter.