Xerophyte

Central Spines

Dark brown/grey 1 to 4, up to 1.5 (-2) cm long, the spines are close set neatly arranged straight and give a comb-like effect.

Description

Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] var. multicostata Buining & Brederoo (HU 362) is one of the morphological or local form of Uebelmannia pectiniferaSN|14312]]SN|14312]] distingusced for the larger number of ribs. This variety usually has 20 or more ribs whereas the typical U. pectinifera var. pectinifera has only 15-18 ribs. However the distinguishing characteristics of the var. multicostata, appear to fall within the natural variation of U. pectinifera and it should be synonymized with the latter, but it still has a value for a collector because they identify plants with particular characters.

Flowers

Diurnal, funnel-shaped greenish yellow often tinged reddish. They are 15 mm long, 12 mm in diameter, with no discernible scent.

Blooming Season

Flowers come sporadically from Early Summer to Late Summer

Ribs

20 or more vertical and prominent.

Stem

Normally solitary, globular or slightly elongated in cultivation, it is reported to grow to as much as 50(-80) cm tall and 10-15 cm wide, dark reddish-green to reddish-brown with what looks like a waxy coating covered with pores and if looked at close has a strange resemblance to human skin. (In cultivation the colour of the plants depends on sun exposure, the plants grown in shadow are green with white stripes, wile the ones in full sun take a dark frost brown or purple color)

Radial Spines

Absent.

Fruits

Inconspicuous, dark red and globular.

Areoles

Set closely to form an almost continuous felty line down the ribs sides.