Xerophyte

Description

Plant with sharp ribs that differs from the type species for the absence of white flocks.

Flowers

Diurnal yellow with a red centre (like in the type species).

Spines

Up to 20 per areole characteristically golden yellow when young, but as they ages become greyish like in the other capricorne. They similar in shape to those of Astrophytum senilis , bristly, flexible, 5 to 7(-10) cm long and pointing in all directions that often form up spirals, they are so densely nest wrapped that the body is hardly visible and looks like a dry grass bundle. The lateral ones grows horizontally sideways at first and then buckle while the others point +/-upwards. After rain they wet and become very flabby.

Stem

Globular to short cylindrical with age up to 35-40 cm tall and 15 cm in diameter. The epidermis is green/bluish sometime tinged in purple.