Xerophyte

Description

Mostly solitary globular cactus (or branched with age, forming large clumps up to 80 cm in diameter, at low elevation in Brewster County, Texas),

Roots

Diffuse or short taproots.

Flowers

Nearly apical, 5 cm wide, bright yellow, sometimes proximally reddish.

Spines

Largely obscuring the stem. 3 (0-4) central spines, 2.5 cm long; 16 to 30 radial spines, 1 to 1.8 cm long.

Stem

5 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Green, ovoid, slimy; floral remnant strongly persistent, fruiting 2-4 months after flowering.