Xerophyte

Description

The standard Lobivia aureaSN|10646]]SN|10646]] v. shaferi is a very spiny cactus. The monstrous form here described is a quite different almost spineless clustering plant with ovoidal growth habit that branches profusely and can slowly grow up to 30 cm tall.

Flowers

Yellow and monstrous looking with short curled petals and a greenish to orangish floral tube.

Spines

Few honey-coloured to brown with darker tips, located on the few areole in groups. They can grow up to 4–25 mm long.

Stem

Composed by upright sections that branches avidly up to 3-8 (-10) cm tall by 3-5 cm in diameter, bright-green to dull olive-green with purple hues in full sun, with only a few areoles with a short white wool. The areoles are arranged irregularly and often are fused to form peculiar horizontal lines contrast with the stem.