| Place of origin:
Andes Mountains, in Peru, to the northeast of Lima.
Description: The species presents heavy
and spherical stem, clumped when the plant is adult, of dark
green color, measuring about 40 cm. high and 20 cm. wide.
The ribs are between 24 and 35, but in younger specimens are
less.
The radial spines are acicular, opened, and 1.5 cm. long.
They are between 20 and 30.
The central spines, are 1 or 2 and they are clearly different
from the rest, although older specimens can show other spins
which could be confused with the radial ones.
All the spines are honey yellow color and brownish on the
base, but they can show different shades of yellow too.
The flowers are many, of about 2 cm. long and carmine or red
color.
There is a variety called depressa, with brown red color spines;
and tenuispina, with cream color flowers, and thinner spines.
Growing tips: Like the other representatives
from the genus, It requires full sun and porous, very well
drained soil. Propagation is made by seeds. |
