Xerophyte

Central Spines

2-4 or more. 5-35 mm long.

Description

This is one of the larger headed species, solitary or clustering when the main head is about 5-7 cm in diameter and producing a nice patch over time. It distinguish for for the tubercles with chinned bases.

Roots

It has long tap roots.

Note

This Taxon has lots of synonyms ( like many other cacti) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies and comprises a multitude of different forms, but where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics

Flowers

Showy that cluster around the lower stem, funnel-shaped with short necks, about 3 cm tall, 3,5 cm in diameter, deep purple or magenta.

Blooming Season

Spring.

Ribs

About 20, tuberculate, spiralling; tubercles with chinned protrusions.

Stem

Fresh green in colour, flattened globular, hemispherical or shortly cylindrical, depressed at apex, 9-10 cm tall 6-7 cm in diameter. This species pups at the base.

Radial Spines

14-18, 5-25 mm long, comb-like and ascending, yellow, reddish, dark brown or black (mostly mahogany red-brown o black spines in subsp. mentosa).

Fruits

Dark reddish-brown with pale green scales.

Areoles

Elongate, 5-7 mm.