Xerophyte

Description

Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii is a geophytic, button-like, spineless cactus with large tap root, and only the apical part of the stem exposed at soil level. Variety fricii differs from var. williamsii by the large pale to dark pink flowers and stems usually lacking well defined ribs.

Note

Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii f. cristata is generally increased from cuttings. However, on sowing seed, a minimal proportion of seedlings show the same crested condition. Whichever way propagation is carried out, the same name is to be applied to the crested plants that form the cultivar, moreover there are several clones shoving different degrees of cristation all referable to the same cultivar name. The non-cristate plants raised from seeds collected on crested parents are treated as indistinguishable parts of the species.

Flowers

Commonly pale to dark pink ( or rarely pinkish white), reaching over 4 centimeter in diameter.

Crested Growth

The beautiful and very rare crested form (Lophophora williamsiiSN|1117]]SN|1117]] var. fricii f. cristata) is sought after by specialized collectors and impassioned for its unique tufted appearance. It forms low growing grey-green fan-shaped stems with broad and flat (rarely elevated) tubercles.

Stem

Fan shaped forming in time nicely contorted and convoluted brain-like mounds. Pale grey-green to yellow-green, usually lacking well defined ribs and furrows.

Areoles

With tufts of hairs that usually spread unequally on the prominent podaria.