Underground parts and cushion
Thickened roots are a prominent structural feature of the plant. Short, globose segments form a low clump and remain firmly connected. Spines are awl-shaped and leaves are seasonal. The study compared this habit with the geophytic T. bonnieae, though the two species differ in armament and seed details. [Las Peñas et al. 2019]
Pale flowers develop into fleshy fruit that remains closed at maturity. The seed has a hard covering without the characteristic lateral projections described in some other opuntioids. Fruit type distinguishes the species from many Tephrocactus with dry fruit. [Las Peñas et al. 2019, appendix 1]
Material and relationships
The specimens studied came from San Juan province. The cytogenetic material had 2n = 44. Analysis of two chloroplast markers linked the species with T. bonnieae and T. molinensis, and more broadly with the lineage also including T. nigrispinus and T. verschaffeltii. [Las Peñas et al. 2019]
The former combination Cumulopuntia recurvata emphasised similarity of habit to other low, cushion-forming opuntioids. Current placement in Tephrocactus incorporates relationship data. The historical name remains a link to the same plant in the atlas. [Las Peñas et al. 2019] [2-WWW]
Synonyms and names in the literature
Cumulopuntia recurvata · Maihueniopsis recurvata [2-WWW]