Xerophyte

Habit

Solitary or branching from the base.

Central Spines

No central spine.

Description

Echinocereus reichenbachiiSN|7575]]SN|7575]] var. albispinus is a local or morphological form of the variable Echinocereus reichenbachiiSN|7575]]SN|7575]] subs. baileyi. It is rarely found in cultivation and differentiates from standard baileyi only for the very attractive white spination (Latin “albispinus” = white spined), all the other characteristics are identical, namely size and form of stems, number of spines, flowers, fruits ans seeds.

Remarks

Do not confound this plant with Echinocereus reichenbachiiSN|7575]]SN|7575]] f. albispinus, which is a white form of Echinocereus reichenbachiiSN|7575]]SN|7575]] (subsp. reichenbachii).

Note

The taxonomic and geographic boundaries among the segregate species or infraspecific taxa of Echinocereus reichenbachiiSN|7575]]SN|7575]] remain nebulous and controversial. In no place do pure populations exist sympatrically, and all taxa appear completely interfertile.

Flowers

Funnelform magenta-pink close to the end of the stems of the youngest areoles, which are white and woolly. 6-12 cm in diameter.

Ribs

About 15 acute, slender or sometimes arranged spirally, bearing oval areoles.

Stem

Cylindrical, 10-20 cm or more in height and has a diameter up 4- 9 cm.

Radial Spines

about 16 needle-shaped, bristly spreading which point outward and downward, white to delicately pinkish, 1-2 cm long.