| Place of origin:
Northwest of Argentina, provinces of Tucuman and Salta.
Description: The plant presents depressed
globular stem, of about 5 cm. wide and 2 cm. of high. Usually
it appears clumped with numerous basal offsets.
The tubercles are low, round or a little angular and are arranged
in spiral.
It is very difficult to tell between radial spines and central
spines. All are white, and between 25 and 30, and only 3 mm.
long.
Flowers are born around the base, present thin, funnel shaped
tube, they are of shining red color, and about 4 cm. Flowering
is abundant and last several days.
There is a variety called knuthiana, with clear green stem,
brownish areolas, and spines of 2.5 cm. long. The flowers
are a little longer and dark red color.
Growing tips: The species tolerate cold
well if it is dry. Propagation is made by rooting offsets. |
