Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small cactus, usually solitary, or heavily clustering.

Central Spines

1-4, whisker-like, twisted, asymmetrical, more or less long, interlaced up and in disorder curved up to 3 cm long. The length of spines greatly depends on sun exposure and plant's age.

Seeds

Globular, small grained.

Roots

Tap root.

Flowers

Pretty, violet coloured with red to orange, small up to 5 cm long, unscented, somewhat bell-shaped-bulgy that appears almost black when starting to open. The stamen's filaments are dark red, and bear cream-white contrasting anthers. The stigma lobes are greenish.

Blooming Season

The greater part of flowers appears in spring in the first flowering, but the plant can erratically produce some flowers in summer too.

Ribs

9-11.

Stem

Flattish, egg-shaped or skightly elongated, up to 12 cm tall, 9 cm in diameter, dark green or almost black.

Radial Spines

12-14 Thin, reddish.

Fruits

Oval, 5 mm in diameter, with little brown wool, up-drying.

Areoles

5-7 mm apart.