Xerophyte

Habit

Simple or eventually forming large clumps.

Flower Buds

Ovoid, covered with imbricate scales.

Flowers

Are some of the largest in this genus, often growing larger than the plant, funnel-shaped 3,5 to 8 cm long and wide candid white(or white faintly flushed with pink) and often double petaled, short campanulate. Inner perianth segments oblong, up to 3 cm long, obtuse or acute. Scales on the ovary broad and rounded, their margins scarious.

Spines

7 to 10, all radial, spreading, somewhat flattened, stout, yellowish or whitish with a reddish tinge at the base, the longest one 3 cm long.

Ribs

10 to 15, broad at base, somewhat tubercled, especially above, acute.

Stem

Globular or somewhat depressed or sometimes short columnar, 9 cm high or more, sometimes 12 cm in diameter. The epidermis is bluish-green.

Areoles

Elliptic, 10 mm Long.