Echinocactus mesae-verdae
Leafl. W. Bot. 6: 163. 1951
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Echinocactus mesae-verdae
Author
(Boissev. & C.Davidson) L.D.Benson
Chinese genus
金琥属
Chinese name
-
Primary
Accepted
DescriptionEdit description
Habit
It is a globular and single stemmed cactus species, but sometimes form clusters up to 15 heads.
Central Spines
0-1, grey, dark tipped, sometimes hooked, 7-15 mm long.
Seeds
Black.
Description
Sclerocactus mesae-verde is a rare and minute, globose grey-green cactus. It is very difficult to locate because it blends in with its surroundings, but when it is found it usually occurs in groupings of several dozens. Flowers range from creamy pink to creamy yellow. Sclerocactus mesae-verde was formerly classified in the monotypic genus Coloradoa.
Roots
Taproots much branched.
Tubercles
Inconspicuous.
Flowers
White to cream-yellow, with light green throats, 1-3,5 cm long, 1-3 cm in diameter and do not open completely.
Ribs
13-17 spiral-like.
Stem
Very small, pale green, depressed globose, with a maximum size of only (3-)5-7(-11) cm in height, 4 to 10 cm in diameter.
Radial Spines
7-13, yellowish, spreading, 6-13 mm long.
Fruits
Fruits are green, spherical to short cylindrical, 8-10 mm long green, becoming brown with age, indehiscent or splitting horizontally at maturity.