Xerophyte

Central Spines

long and divergent 1-5 per areole, 55-95 mm.Flowers; Purple-red to pink in varying shades, and diurnal. Blooming in spring.

Description

Plants caespitose forming dense or lax clumps either loose decumbent, or erect with 20-100(-500) branches, usually branching before flowering. ,

Ribs

7-12 prominent warty.

Stem

5-14 cm diameter up to over 100 cm long, The stems of this species are soft bright green and often remain wrinkled.

Radial Spines

Curved needle-like brownish, bulbous at the base 5-9 per areole, 25-45 mm;

Fruits

Round pale yellow-green or dull reddish, 20-30 mm, pulp white or pale pink. The fruit (especially var. stramineus) are edible. After the spines are removed from the green-brown flesh of the fruit, it can be eaten and tastes similar to, hence the name straswsberry cactus.

Areoles

18-52 mm apart.