Xerophyte

Seeds

White, and differing from all other cactus seeds in being winged, 10-12 mm in diameter (including the wing).

Description

Pterocactus tuberosusSN|1126]]SN|1126]] is a geophyte cactus with huge tuberous roots under the soil ,with thin fragile blue-light to brownish-purple stems that breaks off easily. Many different forms exist.

Roots

Tuberous root, up to 8 cm thick, deeply set in the ground . All pterocacti have a tuberous root system from which the stems sprout and sprawl around.

Stem Segments

7-20(-40) cm long, 0,8-1,5 cm in diameter. brown or greenish brown. with a vertical violet line below the areoles. Each stem flowers at its tip before branching.

Flowers

The flowers are terminal produced from the apex of new growth and without a tube. 1-5 cm in diameter, pale to deep yellow, brownish or coppery. Perianth segments erect. Stigma almost white, pink or to deep red.

Spines

8-12 5-10 mm long whitish.

Fruits

Dry.