Xerophyte

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 often shorter and not hooked).

Description

The standard columnar Echinopsis jajoianaSN|11361]]SN|11361]] (commonly known as Lobivia jajoianaSN|4662]]SN|4662]]) is a small cactus that usually grows solitary or in groups that is very popular and widely grown for its peculiar dark throated flowers. The beautiful crested form here depicted is still rare in cactus collection.

Roots

Thick taproot.

Flowers

Arising from the basal tubercles on the side of the plant, up to 7 cm wide, their colors is very variable, going from yellow to orange, tomato-red, vine-red and also happening through all the imaginable tones of violet. All of them have in common that the hymen (or throat ring of the flower) is always of a very dark purple-violet to black, thickened at the edge and glossy. The stamens are purple, the anthers yellow.

Spines

Of different length, usually straight or slightly bent, directed upward, dark brown to blackish in youth, later grey.

Ribs

Compressed, running downward.

Stem

Fan shaped, forming tangled mounds with time, soft, about 5 to 7 cm in width, grey-green to dark green. The line meristem is slightly depressed and covered with whitish wool

Radial Spines

Approximately 10 or less, about 1 cm long.

Areoles

3 mm across, with grey-white felt.