Xerophyte

Habit

Plants solitary, or later becoming branched, and forming large mounds up to 40 cm across. Each head is surrounded by a complete ring of star-like pink flowers. There are variations among plants from different origin.

Central Spines

Spines 2-4, awl-like, white with darker tips, to 2 mm long.

Sap

With latex.

Seeds

brown.

Roots

Has long fibrous roots.

Tubercles

When young pyramidal, then rounded to conical, firm, axils with many white bristles to 10 mm long.

Flowers

Funnelform, in a ring around the sides at the top of the stem, typically pink, small, up to 10 mm long and 8 mm in diameter.

Stem

Globularor somewhat elongate or short cylindrical in age, up to 16 cm high and 9 cm across, dull green, rounded apically.

Radial Spines

30-35, spreading, straight, white, to 5 mm long.

Fruits

Borne in a circle near the middle of the plant, club shaped, 5-6 mm long.

Areoles

Circular, at first white-woolly, soon glabrate.