Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent.

Seeds

Large and oval, noticeably broader toward the aril, approx. 1-1,5 mm in diameter, dark brown to black.

Flowers

Funnel-shaped, dioecious, 4-5(-6) cm long and wide, white with deep pink or wine-red throat (infrequently entirely white). Pericarpel 1-2 cm long, olive green with imbricated scales that are reddish at their tips. Style and stigma are white, stamens pink or whitish and the pollen is yellowish.

Ribs

(5-)8-9(-12) or more, straight, angular, divided into more or less noticeable tubercles by well-defined transverse furrows, the tubercles have a protruding chin just below to the areole.

Stem

Spherical more or less flattened up to 4-5 cm tall and 5-8(-12) cm in diameter, eventually becoming shortly columnar, pale to glossy mid-green tending to bronze in full sun. The more shaded growing plants seem to get bigger with a less tendency to branch.

Radial Spines

Usually 3 to 9 (mostly 5), unequal, upper spine(s) about 1 cm long, remainder 1-3,5 cm (rarely up to 6 cm) long, outspreading, somewhat curved and adpressed, honey-yellow or pale-brownish at first, fading to white or greyish.

Fruits

Almost spherical, pera shaped or shortly club-shaped, up to 1,5 cm long, softening but not splitting when ripe.