Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small globular usually unbranched cactus with glossy dark-green body and rounded ribs.

Tubercles

Broad and low

Flowers

Large shiny pink to rich magenta-red, up to 5 cm long and 7 cm wide. Perianth segments oblong, acute.

Blooming Season

In spring and summer.

Spines

All radials, spider-like, nearly harmless, 1-1,5 cm long, white or pale rose coloured, awl-shaped, slender, curved laterally or upward, somewhat twisted or bent and closely appressed against body.

Ribs

Usually 5-8, flat, with poorly developed tubercles (The 'chin' effect is not as visible as in other Gymnocalyciums).

Stem

Solitary, broadly globular, depressed globose or subglobose, 2-10 cm tall and 6-15 cm in diameter, glossy greyish-green to dark green.

Fruits

Oblong, green.

Areoles

Few roundish, slightly woolly 1-2 cm apart.