Xerophyte

Leaves

The leaves on Maihueniopsis are very small and fall off early.

Roots

Enlarged tuberose on plants that appear to be quite small above ground.

Flowers

Solitary larger than the articulations, and very decorative, dirty yellow-orange 2.5-6 cm in diameter.

Blooming Season

Late spring to early summer. Flowering is erratic, though well worth the wait.

Spines

Four to 8, stiff, flat, to 5 cm long, 2-4 mm wide and very sharp, present in the upper areoles but absent in the basal areoles of the cladode. They mostly point forward but some spread in all directions.

Stem

Sub-erect, articulated, 4-7.5 cm long, c. 2 cm in diameter, olive-green ovoidal, slightly tuberculate. The plant also has the ability to spread itself when loosely attached joints break away from the main plant and root wherever they land.

Fruits

Fleshy similar to the joints for shape and colour. At maturity became yellow-orangish.

Areoles

Approx 4 mm in diameter, circular beset with short silky white to brownish felt.