Morphology (Identifying
Characteristics):
Habit:
Small usually
unbranched,
Stem:
Flat to
globose depressed, up to 13cm
in width,
greyish-brown to blue-green (rather variable in colour in
cultivation, and in some specimens it is almost blue-black). The
9 to 10 broad
ribs are divided by deep grooves into
tubercles.
Areoles : deep-set
Spines:
5 to 7 thin radial spines
that are straight or curved toward the stem, short, curved, pale
brown or grey, tinged with red at the base.
Flower:
on the crown,
measuring 3 to 4 cm in length and the same across, open wide in
sunlight, and commonly of a most rich purple-red colour,
sometimes pinkish-purple (but also white, pink or orange). The
stamens are purple, the
anthers and the 6
lobed
stigma whitish yellow. This plant blooms in early summer
when it is only 2.5 cm. It is fast growing and can bloom one year
after being sown.
Fruit:
The
ripened
ovary is green, long and
dehisces (splits) down its length.
Notes:
The synonym name Gymnocalycium venturianum is very common
in collections,
and even at cactus nurseries. It is a very variable
species in its general appearance.
There are
also many hybrids with a wide range of flower colours.
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