Xerophyte

Habit

It is a clustering cactus specie branching profusely from the base, ultimately forming somewhat open clumps up to 30 cm tall which can spread out as large as 1 m in size.

Description

Echinocereus viereckiiSN|21819]]SN|21819]] subs. huastecensis is a morphological or local form of the variable Echinocereus viereckiiSN|21819]]SN|21819]] distinguishes for its very long spines (up to 10 cm). It is a particularly beautiful plant in flower. The bloom is about 12 cm diameter.

Flowers

Magnificent magenta from the sides of the stems, short-funnellform, very large up to 10-12 cm in diameter or more. The flowers on all subspecies are Bright magenta.

Blooming Season

Blossoms in May.

Spines

Very short, yellowish up to 10 cm long.

Ribs

8-13 tuberculate.

Stem

30-60 cm long, 3-7.5 cm in diameter, soft , cylindrical ± tapering toward the tips initially upright then spreading to sprawling yellowish-green to bright green that will hold purple colour with enough bright light, During the winter rest they become wrinkled and flabby from lack of water and shrink up about 1/3 their size as they consume their stored water. With regular water they plump up quickly.

Fruits

Globose, green, fleshy.