Xerophyte

Habit

Described as solitary, this species reluctantly clusters in cultivation after a few years, but is slow-growing, and this and its low-growing habit suggest perhaps a harsh time in the wild.

Central Spines

0 to 1 (rare in cultivated plants), 4 to 8 mm long, brownish grey to black, usually erect.

Seeds

1.4 to 1.5 mm long and 1.2 to 1.4 mm wide.

Description

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Roots

Thick napiforme c. 16 cm long, connected to the body by a narrow neck.

Flowers

Buds dark to brownish green, growing from around the stem base. Flowers short funnel-shaped, completely open, red to purple, 40 mm wide and long, scentless or slightly fruity or mouldy. Outer perianth segments red or violet, some-times olive green with a brownish base. Inner perianth segments dark reddish violet, carmine purple sometime with a paler base. Stamens yellowish, reddish violet in the base. Pistil yellowish-green in the base, with 6 yellow papillose stigma lobes.

Stem

Depressed - globose, about 3 or 4 cm tall, and to 6 cm wide, dark green to brownish violet, with from 10 to 17 ribs, spiralling. Tubercles 5 to 8 mm long.

Radial Spines

8 to 12 thin, slightly curved, appressed, 3 to 5 mm long, whitish, ash-grey to brownish-black, base thickened dark-brownish, sometimes with paler tips.

Fruits

Reddish-brown 6 mm in diameter, covered with brownish or greenish scales, the lower scales with fine white hairs, sometimes barely visible.

Areoles

Elongated 3 to 4 mm long and 1 to 1.5 mm wide with short whitish felt.