Xerophyte

Central Spines

Absent.

Seeds

1,7-1,8 mm diameter, dark brown to black, with conspicuous hilum.

Description

Gymnocalycium mesopotamicus is a small cactus often solitary in habitat, but freely branching in cultivation where it makes pleasing clumps.

Blooming Season

Flower pure white up to 5,5 cm long and 6,5 cm in diameter, outer perianth segments pinkish with darker brownish mid-stripe, inner ones pure white lanceolate, throat reddish, calyx bare and scaly.

Ribs

7-9, low and obtuse, well developed or rather indistinct, rounded, with transverse grooves.

Stem

Flattened-spherical with an umbilicate depression at the apex, dark green, 1,2-2,5 cm tall and up to 4 cm in diameter (but often more in cultivation)

Radial Spines

9-12, unequal, arising from the side on the lower part of the areole, 2-9 mm long, all bristle-like, flexible, adpressed, reddish brown at first, later greyish or pink-tinged.

Fruits

Cub-shaped to slender-clavate, dull green, 20-30 mm long, 7-8 mm in diameter.

Areoles

Wide, oval-elongated, slightly sunken at the top of the tubercle.