Xerophyte

Description

Pterocactus kuntzeiSN|1128]]SN|1130]] is a geophyte cactus with gorgeous tuberous rootstock under the soil with many caducous cylindrical branches. It is often catalogued as a caudiciform and when it is potted up, the plant can be progressively raised over the ground so that some of the roots can be seen and is especially cultivated for their looks. Architecturally it is a real stunner. When the "caudex" shape of the raised roots is adequately in evidence this plant is incomparable.

Roots

It has a tuberous root system , up to 8 cm thick, deeply set in the ground, that in cultivation can fill a 20 cm diameter pot.

Note

Now this taxa has been synonymized with Pterocactus tuberosusSN|1126]]SN|1126]] & Pterocactus decipiensSN|1130]]SN|1128]].

Flowers

Pare a pale to deep silky yellow and the stigma can go from almost white, to pink or to deep red. The flowers are produced from the apex of new growth.

Stem

Thin, cylindrical, fragile, erect to pendulous, 3 to 40 cm long, dark brownish-purple that breaks off easily. New stems arise both from the top of the rootstock and also around the edges of the end of the terminal flower stems.