Xerophyte

Central Spines

usually 2 (but variable from 0 to 6), slender, rigid, straight, not hooked, erect, divergent, black to reddish, turning grey as the ages (3-)6-10(15) mm long. The lower one usually longer

Sap

Without latex (or vaguely milky, whitish-yellowish, but not slimy)

Seeds

Brownish.

Description

Plants usually solitary, sometimes sprouting at the base or sides when old. Each head is surrounded by a complete ring of starlike pink flowers. There are ample variations among plants from different origin.

Axils

Slightly woolly only on new growth, later naked.

Tubercles

Small, (3-)5-6 mm hight, crowded, conical/pyramidal, four-angled basally.

Flowers

Deep magenta-pink to pale pink, funnel-shaped, up to 10 mm long, 8-15(-20) mm in diameter. Pericarpel 1,3-2,5 mm long, receptacle-tube 1,3-2,9 mm long, external tepals 2-10 mm long, 1-2 mm wide, linear-lanceolate purple red with a greenish base, internal tepals 6-11 mm long pink to purple with a darker midvein. Filaments whitish or pinkish.

Blooming Season

February to April.

Stem

Globularor somewhat elongate in age, glaucous green, up to 15 cm high, (3-)5-10 cm in diameter, apex wolly.

Radial Spines

(14-)8-30(-38), smooth, acicular, straight or slightly curved, white, radiating, bristly, 3-6 mm long.

Fruits

Red, pinkish at the base, about 1 cm long.

Areoles

2-3 mm, oval, whith white wool when young.