🌱 Morphology
   Cactus opuntioide geophyte, small-sized with very distinctive growth. It forms small groups with globose, ovoid to slightly flattened tubercles, about 3–5 cm in diameter, with pentagonal or hexagonal tubercles that give it its geometric appearance. The epidermis can range from bluish-green to olive green and acquire purple or reddish tones under intense light. The lower areoles bear glochids but usually lack spines; the upper ones can develop 3–7 appressed spines, whose length and color show considerable variability, from whitish or brown to black.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Endemic to the province of Catamarca, Argentina, where it grows in extremely arid Monte and Prepuna environments, on very well-drained gravelly and sandy soils, generally at altitudes between approximately 1,300 and 2,900 m. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Opuntioideae subfamily.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 8b
Tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −10 ºC when kept completely dry and properly acclimated. During winter, it requires a cool, dry rest period.

☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it requires very intense light and several hours of direct sunlight. A target of approximately 18–25 mol/m²/day PAR DLI promotes compact growth and the expression of purple tones and dark spines.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. It grows mainly during spring and summer. When temperatures are high, it can be watered generously, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it enters dormancy and should be kept practically dry. Its tuberous root and geophytic nature make a very well-drained substrate especially important.

🌸 Flowering
It produces relatively large flowers for the size of the plant, generally white or white-pink, with a more intense shade on the central vein. In Madrid, it can flower mainly between May and June.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer high in assimilable calcium and low in nitrogen is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with a substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in different sizes.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.