Ferocactus gatesii
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 27: 151. 1955
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Ferocactus gatesii
Author
G.E.Linds.
Chinese genus
强刺球属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
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.