Xerophyte

Central Spines

5 to 8, one more central, 2 to 4 hooked and 10 mm long, the others 4 to 5 mm long and straight, red-brown, whitish at base.

Seeds

Black.

Description

Plants at first solitary or clustering in the course of time with up to 40 stems.

Roots

Taproots.

Flowers

Bell shaped, deep set, dark purple-pink, not widely opening, to 10 mm in diameter. Perianth-segments oblong, obtuse. Stigmas purple.

Blooming Season

Autumn-winter to spring, the flowers remain open for five or six days, exceptionally more.

Stem

Globose, olive-green to dark green, 4 to 6 cm in diameter with latex. The axil is without bristles occasionally with scarce wool.

Radial Spines

Numerous 35 to 38, widely spreading, up to 6 mm long, the upper up to 4 mm, white, fine, needle-like.

Fruits

Club-shaped, 15 - 20 mm long, whitish to pink.