Underground organs and architecture
Plants form loose stem clusters more than a metre wide. The thickened taproot may exceed 50 cm. Segments, usually 5–10 cm long and 3–4.5 cm wide in the morphological description, are relatively weakly joined. New branches arise mainly from apical areoles, forming elongated sequences of segments. [Donati 2017]
Rapidly shed leaves take the form of small cones. Areoles usually bear four central spines, sometimes up to seven, and about six marginal ones. The longest central spines reach 10 cm or more, with an angular, partly flattened structure. Upper spines may be grey, brown or dark, and lower and marginal ones whitish. [Donati 2017]
Flower and fruit
Flowers may reach about 11 cm in diameter. An intensely yellow perianth is accompanied by red staminal filaments and 6–8 yellow stigma lobes. The elongated pericarpel has relatively few areoles. Fruits are initially green-yellow, about 4–6.5 cm long, and dry after ripening. Seeds measure about 4–5 mm. [Donati 2017]
Local observations indicate flowering from March to May and fruit ripening in summer. This phenology describes the sites studied in Coahuila and their accompanying seasonal conditions. [Donati 2017]
Habitat and species boundaries
Sites were described in the Laguna del Rey area, near valleys associated with Bolsón de Mapimí. The species grows on gentle slopes with fine gypsum substrate and limestone gravel. The paper compared traits with G. grahamii and G. aggeria. Segment size, spine number and colour, staminal filament colour and strength of segment junctions are important. [Donati 2017]
Root tips of the plants examined contained 2n = 44 chromosomes. The species diagnosis combined morphology, ecology and cytology. Rare plants interpreted as hybrids with neighbouring species were also described. Their interpretation is based on traits and chromosome number. [Donati 2017]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Corynopuntia deinacantha [2-WWW]