Xerophyte

Central Spines

4-6 spreading, 12-18 mm long.

Description

Rebutia mentosa subs. purpurea, best known in cultivation as Sulcorebutia purpureaSN|9527]]SN|9527]], is one of the larger headed species, solitary or sometime clustering in cultivation when the main head is about 5-7 cm in diameter .

Roots

It has long Dahlia like tuberous 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 about 2-3 cm tall, 3,5-4,5 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped with short necks (about 5 mm), purple to violet-red or dark red clove-scented.

Spines

Sand coloured, light-brown to reddish brown or whitish very strong, comb-like, spreading out and bent down to the body.

Ribs

About 18, completely divided into tubercles and unrecognisable; tubercles, spiralling about 4 x 5 cm with chinned protrusions.

Stem

Grass-green, flattened globular, hemispherical or shortly cylindrical, depressed at apex, 4-9 cm tall 3-4 cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

8-10, 10-14 mm long.

Fruits

Dark reddish-brown with pale green scales 7-10 mm in diameter.

Areoles

4-6 mm long, elongate and felted, up to 1 cm apart.