Larryleachia cactiformis in the lap of luxury

This well-cared for Larryleachia cactiformis plant in cultivation shows ample branching in its thriving, semi-globose stem-bodies, responding admirably to the superior living conditions. In habitat the plants also favour nestling among chunks of quartzite, flourishing after rain.

The tessellated, pale-green stem surfaces repeat the pattern of turgid, polygon to rounded shapes with faint signs of mottling on the tubercle skins. Each tubercle also has a standard, central, white scar where a quite tiny, old leaf or flower stem had dropped off.

The flowers are well-sequenced for a long blooming season, the buds olive-green on top with converging dotted lines. After flowering the fruit, purple-blotched follicles appear. They open along single, lateral slits when ripe (Grenier, 2019; Frandsen, 2017; Smith, et al, 2017).