Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small geophytic cactus that usually grows solitary.

Central Spines

0-1, strong, pink grey with brown tip up to 2 cm long, slightly curved and thickened basally.

Roots

Thick taproot.

Flowers

Arising from the basal tubercles on the side of the plant, bell-shaped, fragrant, about 50 mm long and in diameter, ovary and tube grey/green with violet-brown scales and grey wool, outer perianth segments lanceolate, grey pink with a purple brow median strip, inner perianth segments spatulate, wavy, golden to orange, with a purple-violet to black hymen (or throat ring of the flower), which is thickened at the edge and glossy. Style green, stigma lobes 7 yellow.

Spines

Of different length, usually straight or slightly bent, directed upward, all whitish with brown tips.

Ribs

11 compressed, straight running downward or spiralling and divided into slanting tubercles 10 mm long, chinned and keeled below, whose arrangement creates the impression of a wavy line.

Stem

Flat globose-spherical, soft, up to 50 mm in diameter, grey-green, often violet tinged. The crown is slightly depressed and covered with whitish wool

Radial Spines

2-3(-4), about 1,5 cm long, thin, somewhat flexible, addpressed and slightly bent downwards.

Fruits and Seeds

As in the other varieties.

Areoles

Oval, 4 mm long, white-tomentose.