Xerophyte

Central Spines

0-2 very similar to the radials.

Description

Gymnocalycium gibbosumSN|8057]]SN|8057]] var. brachypetalum is one of the several forms of the very variable Gymnocalycium gibbosumSN|8057]]SN|8057]] which form a complex of related taxon. It is still unclear whether this variable complex is one or several species. There is so much variation that most authors choose to lump them together. The variety "brachypetalum" distingushes for the unusual dark grey-green to nearly black stem and for the large white flowers.Gymnocactus gibbosum is a low growing solitary cactus widely distributed in the mountains of Argentina from the south of the Buenos Aires province to Patagonia and show a great variability in morphological traits.

Note

It seems to be a pretty variable plant you might get some other names which are effectively the same plant.... and also not sure all plants identified as this are really this.

Flowers

Infundibuliform in the nearest periphery just around the apex 45-60 mm long, 60-65 in diameter. Tepals ivory white with a brownish mid rib or occasionally reddish, throat greenish with a basal reddish area. Style white-greenish, stigma white. Anthers cream coloured.

Ribs

10-16 straight, divided in well distinct angular ribs.

Stem

Deep glaucous-green to grey-black, discoidal that became elonged with time 10-25 cm tall, up to 12 cm in diameter, the apex is slightly woolly.

Radial Spines

5-7 20-35 mm long slightly bent against the plants body, clear brown with a darker base when young, that became whitish-grey with a black base as they age.

Fruits

Globate or fusiform, 20-40 mm long green with white bordered scales.

Areoles

Whitish-grey, elonged.