Xerophyte

Description

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]] are very flat geophyte cactus that produce small star-shaped rosettes. They in most cases don't reach more than only a few centimetres above the ground. Although they can form clumps, often only a small disc of tubercles can be seen flat at the soil surface, however these plants grow a large tap root below the surface of the compost.

Roots

Each plant has a large turnip-like taproot, which lies below the soil surface and serves for water storage.

Note

The plants in northern populations (known as Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanusSN|2127]]SN|2127]]. var. macdowellii) are smaller than the type, with small beak-like tubercles and pale mauve flowers, often with a high white content in the outer petals.

Tubercles

The tubercles are deltoid dark olive green with no spines and lie flat on the soil surface. They are more long than wide, closely packed and divergent, sharply angled apically.

Flowers

These plants have a woolly crown, from which emerge bright pink-violet flowers up to 2.5-5 cm, 2 times wider than long when fully expanded. Flowers are diurnal and last for 3 to 4 days. The white-flowered variety was described as var. albiflorus.

Blooming Season

Mid-September onwards.

Stem

Usually solitary, rarely giving rise to side shoots from old areoles, flattened on top, depressed centrally.

Fruits

White or green with lots of seed.

Areoles

The tubecles forms a central longitudinal areolar groove extending to the tips on the adaxial surfaces of the tubercles, woolly, 1-3 mm wide, 5-10 mm long.