Discocactus catingicola
Discocactus catingicola is a species of Discocactus found in Brazil.
Description
The stem is flattened-globular, measuring tall and in diameter, with a dark olive-green epidermis and branched roots. It features 9 to 13 well-defined ribs that are arranged vertically or slightly spirally and divided into non-flattened tubercles. 3-6 Oval to elongated areoles per rib are sunken on these tubercles, each bearing spines. The spines are yellow to gray, sometimes with darker bands, and can be straight or slightly curved. They typically consist of a single central spine, sometimes absent and 3 to 10 radial spines that are long. Adult plants develop a woolly cephalium at their apex, measuring in height and in diameter. This structure, composed of white wool with occasional gray or black bristles that are, protects the plant from cold and intense UV radiation, and is believed to attract pollinators.The fragrant, white, tubular flowers emerge from the cephalium's edge, opening at night and pollinated by moths. They measure long and in diameter, with olive-green buds. The floral tube is thin and white with light olive-green tips, bearing fleshy scales. Inner perianth segments are about long, and outer ones are long, both white. Stamens have filaments of and yellow anthers that are. The style is long, with a 4 to 6-lobed stigma. The ovary contains ovules arranged in bundles of 1 to 5. This species does not produce offsets.
The club-shaped fruits are white to green at the apex, measuring long and wide. They split open vertically at maturity, retaining persistent floral remnants, and contain shiny black, oval seeds with numerous nipple-shaped tubercles on their testa.