Xerophyte

Seeds

Black, rugose, very oblique at base.

Description

Mostly clumping, basally branching vine-like stems at first erect, but then arching and prostrate or hanging, usually with aerial roots.

Flowers

Orange or reddish at the stem tip or on older parts, 5-7 cm long, 4-5 cm in diameter, tubular to narrowly funnelform. The areoles of the tube and ovary, with white or yellowish wool and chestnut bristly/silky spines.

Blooming Season

Flowers appear end of April to May.

Spines

Yellow that turn reddish as they age needle-like; 1 central, 1-2.5 cm long; 6 to 10 radials more or less radiating, on young areoles, older can have much more (as much as 70 or more).

Ribs

8 to 10 low, rounded and tuberculate..

Stem

Cylindrical tapering toward the tips, up to 2 m long or more, 2,5-4 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Globose to elongate, spiny, red with red pulp 1.5-2 cm in diameter.

Areoles

1-2 cm apart.