Xerophyte

Central Spines

One, flattened laterally, blackish, (1.5-)5.5 -6(-10) cm long.

Seeds

Pyriform 2.5-3.5 mm long.

Flowers

The flowers open at night and are borne laterally near the apex of the stems (fertile zone undifferentiated, no pseudocephalium evident). They are funnel-shaped, yellowish white, to 7-10(-14) cm long. Pericarpels and floral tubes with small scales and long yellowish brown hairs from their axils. Outer perianth segments, white-yellowish 1-2.5(-3.5) cm long and 1-2.5 (-3) cm wide spatulate, apex slightly cleft or retreat, apiculate. Inner perianth segments yellowish-white-2-3 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, lanceolate, apex slightly cleft, apiculate. Stamens white-yellowish 0.5-1(-1.2) cm long, filaments 2-7 mm long. Style 4-5 cm long, light yellow. Stigma lobes 8-12, red-purple c. 1 cm long.

Chromosome Number

2n = 22.

Spines

Acicular, flattened or angular (more needle-like and flexible toward the tip of branches), whitish-grey. Base and apex black

Stem

Main stem (trunk) up to 1.8(-2) metres tall with persistent areoles and spines. Areoles large (2-2.5 cm in diameter) each with up to 50 spines 1-11 cm long. Branches, numerous, erect, blue-green, glaucous, to 12 cm in diameter (up to 40 cm at base) branching from the middle. Ribs 8-11, rounded, 3.5-4.5 cm in height. Areoles 1-2 cm long, 0.5-1.5 cm wide, elliptical-circular 1.0-4.5 cm apart with a longitudinal groove.

Radial Spines

6-12, reddish brown to black, (0.5-)2-3(3.5) cm long.

Fruits

Oblong, 3.5-7 cm, 3-6 cm wide, red-purple, semi-fleshy, dehiscing often into four segments, pulp reddish purple, edible, bracts 3-5 mm long, with abundant, but deciduous yellowish bristly spines 0.5-2 (-2.5) cm long.