Red Velvetactus

This small caudiciform grows up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. The tapering stem is grey and green, and is covered in brittle vibrant red spines. The round, black trunk can grow to as much as 8 feet (2.4 meters) in diameter. Its green branches are short, rigid and upright.

The smooth-edged, pleated leaves are lime at the bottom and blue with red patches at the top. They are flexible, but are very difficult to pull away.

It is quick growing, taking 4 months to reach maturity. Once mature, and only under the right conditions, a handful of flowers, with alternating petals of olive and red, with a purple central disk, grow at the top, reappearing after 6 years, but only when the conditions are right again. The flower head is shaped like a bowl with 35 tightly layered, round-tipped petals. It has the faintest scent that smells like coffee.

The caudiciform's skin is extremely thick, the dark brown flesh is soft, and the purple sap is thin.