Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent or 1 short.

Description

Eriosyce odieriSN|2824]]SN|2824]] is a greyish-green geophytic cactus that grow flat to the soil or often in time of drought, shrunken back into the ground. Often it acquires a reddish, purplish, brownish or almost blue-black colour due to sun exposure. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. krausii (F.Ritter) Ferryman. Also included in the synonymy for this species is Thelocephala malleolataSN|2841]]SN|2841]] (F.Ritter) F.Ritter.

Roots

Massive tap root.

Note

There are several subspecies, variety and forms of this variable taxon, that differentiates for size, number of branches, number of tubercles, number and colour of the spines and for the size and colour of flowers

Flowers

Funnel form at the plant apex, that open during the hours of sun, pericarpel with small scales and wool, floral tube with abundant bristles, tepals pale coloured (whitish, yellow, pinkish or orangish)

Blooming Season

It starts flowering when the stem reach 2 to 6 cm in diameter.

Ribs

18-21 almost indistinguishable and tuberculate with the podaria arranged in helical lines. Mamilleae 4-6 mm in diameter.

Stem

3-5 cm in diameter, subglobular (flattened in the upper part) often spineless when old.

Radial Spines

6-12 approx 2-5mm long, spreading, flattened against the tubercles and pectinate, and not intertwining with those of the other areoles, yellowish, white or pale coffee coloured.

Areoles

Sunken.