Xerophyte

Habit

It is a small geophytic cactus that usually grows solitary, but given the best conditions may form small groups.

Central Spines

1 to 3, strong, dark, frequently red; the upper spine usually attains a length of 3 cm and is often hooked and thickened basally (but sometime the longest of them may reach the length of 4-6 cm).

Description

Echinopsis jajoianaSN|11361]]SN|11361]] cv. Anemone best known as Lobivia jajoiana cv. AnemoneSN|12109]]SN|12109]] is one of best Lobivia cultivars very priced for its unique bicoloured flowers, pale pinkish-white with a contrasting very dark purple-violet to black throat. It is extremely attractive.

Roots

Thick taproot.

Note

Similar flower colours has been inherited by some Chamaecereus hybrids too.

Flowers

Arising from the basal tubercles on the side of the plant, bell-shaped, fragrant, about 50-70 mm long and in diameter, ovary and tube grey/green with violet-brown scales and grey wool, outer perianth segments lanceolate, grey pink with a darker median strip, inner perianth segments spatulate, wavy, very pale pink to almost white with tips suffused with pink, which contrats with the dark purple-violet to black hymen (or throat ring of the flower), which is thickened at the edge and glossy. Filaments black, anthers and pollen pale creamy-yellow. Style and stigma lobes green.

Ribs

10-14 compressed, straight running downward or spiralling and divided into slanting tubercles 10 mm long, chinned and keeled below, whose arrangement creates the impression of a wavy line.

Stem

Flat globose-spherical, egg-shaped, then elongate as they ages, soft, up to 50-60 mm in diameter, grey-green. The crown is slightly depressed and covered with whitish wool.

Radial Spines

Approximately 10 or less, about 1 cm long.

Fruits and Seeds

As in the other varieties.

Areoles

Oval, 3-4 mm long, white-tomentose.Of different length, usually straight or slightly bent, directed upward, dark brown to blackish in youth, later grey.