Xerophyte

Description

It is a very small perennial plant with a brown body slowly growing atop a thick, underground taproot. It is a dwarf form of Eriosyce napinaSN|2370]]SN|2370]].

Roots

Forms a tuberous root system with (usually) a very large carrot-like root

Tubercles

Larger than ssp. lembckei;

Flowers

Often larger than the plant itself from crown approx 3,5 cm long, 4-6 cm in diameter, pinkish with a silky shine ( but also white, pink, carmine, or brown) buds densely hairy with brown wool.

Blooming Season

Flowers already when young, synchronised flowering of the whole plants takes place over one or two days, and they remain open for about three or four days. Blooms in late spring to summer.

Stem

About 3-5 cm across, 2-6 cm tall slow growing, spherical or flattened eventually becoming somewhat elongated in cultivation, with a constriction between the stem and the root, brown to dark purple-brown.

Radial Spines

Very short brown to grey pressed flat against the stem.

Fruits

Large, red, clavate, wrapped in white wool.

Areoles

With grey felt becoming bare.