Description:
G. occultum (= G. stellatum) is a
beautiful, slowly-growing plant with a noticeably flatten
body, at first
solitary, later clustering.
Stem: Dark grayish-brown to olive-coloured epidermis, flattened
globose, 7.5-10 cm in diameter.
It will
offset after a considerable period of time.
Ribs: 7-11, flat,
round, without prominent chin-like protrusions.
Spines: 3-5, dark brown, becoming grey with age, spider-like,
add-pressed,
short, straight to slightly curved and flattened against the stem
(rarely sticking out - easy cactus to handle)
Flowers: Creamy-white with a dull red
throat, up to
6,5 cm. long, 4.5
cm.
in diameter.
Fruit: Cylindrical.
Blooming season: Flowers are produced in late spring and remain
open for up to twelve days.
Two
subspecies are recognized:
The “occultum”
subspecies occurs in Catamarca.
The
“stellatum” subspecies occurs in Cordoba.
Photo of conspecific
taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants
belonging to the Gymnocalicyum
stellatum
complex
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