Xerophyte

Habit

It shows an abnormal uncoordinated form of vegetative growth, with a multitude of condensed lateral proliferation, each areole gives origin to a new stem only a 1-2 centimeters across, and the plant looks more like a strange furry animal or a marine creature than a cactus.

Description

Echinocereus ferreirianusSN|21825]]SN|21825]] subs. lindsayi f. monstruosus is a free offsetting small form of Echinocereus ferreirianusSN|21825]]SN|21825]] subs. Lindsayi that forms large, proliferating stems, with white woolly areoles and short bristle-like spines. The rib structure is not yet apparent, and it has short tubercles making it looks superficially like Mammillarias. With age it will form large crowded clumps.

Flowers

Very showy but seldom seen in cultivation, pink, often failing to open widely, with pericarpel and floral tube densely covered by white woolly areoles.