Variable South American cactus with straight or hooked spines and yellow, orange or red flowers. Usually solitary, sometimes clumping. Stems may be globose to cylindrical, reaching a maximum height of 2-8 inches. They have 15-21 ribs, 3-4 central spines (straight or hooked), 7-30 white radial spines. Hairy buds, pretty flowers, small fruit and seeds.

Dozens of former species have been rolled into this variable taxon, and some of those names are still in circulation. A former subspecies of this plant with yellow flowers and reddish gray stems (horrida) is now its own species.

Reply to this comment