Xerophyte

Habit

It is a large solitary, ribbed barrel cactus, becoming cylindric in age and attaining exceptionally a height of 3 metres.

Central Spines

7-13 in two series, reddish-browm or greyish-pink with paler tips, banded, the main 4 forming a cross, upper and lower flattened, lateral two subulate, lower longest, 2,5-4 cm(rarely up to 6 cm)long, 6-10 mm wide, rather convolute and curved but not hooked at tip.

Description

Ferocactus gracilisSN|11980]]SN|11980]] var. gatesii is a particularly attractive cactus with remarkably spines, thet differs from Ferocactus gracilisSN|11980]]SN|11980]] in having stems up to 1,5 m tall (occasionally up to 3 m tall), more ribs (24-32) and the central spines are shorter, curved but not hooked and only 3 mm wide. It is closely related to the northern Ferocastus cylindraceus.

Flowers

Diurnal, funnelform, about 4 long and 3,5 cm in diameter, reddish with darker red midveins. Ovary with widely placed scales intergrading into obtuse, red, outer perianth segments. Inner inner perianth segments linear-lanceolate, 25 mm long, 5-7 mm. wide, midstripe lavender-red, margins yellow, serrulate. Filaments numerous, red, fine, appressed against style. Style 22 mm. long, yellow and red above, stigma lobes about 9.

Blooming Season

The plants usually bloom during late spring or early summer, occasionally in late summer. Solitary bees are probably the most important pollinators. Ants visit extrafloral nectaries on the plant apex and may protect the cactus from insect herbivores.

Spines

Clearly differentiated into stout coloured centrals and fine, white radials.

Ribs

24-32, prominent, acute, slightly expanded under areoles, 2,5 cm deep.

Stem

Unbranched, deep green, at first globular and later cylindrical, erect, up to 1,5(or more) meters high, up to 30 wide.

Radial Spines

5-6(-8)whitish, spreading, 2,5-4 cm long, variable, slender, straight, flattened-setaceous, sometimes twisted.

Fruits

Oblong cylindrical, yellowish, bearing broad rounded scales.

Areoles

Young areoles light-grey felted, oval to elliptic, 15-20 mm long, 6 mm wide constricted between the flower and the spine-bearing section, 4 cm apart or even less in old plants.