Xerophyte

Areoles and Spines

Areoles large whitish, 2 cm apart. Spines yellowish with brown tips, at least when young, greyish later; 1 to 4 centrals, porrect, often stout, 5-7 cm (or even 12 cm); 8 to 12 radials, up to 4 cm long.

Description

Growth Habits

Flowers

Nocturnal 14 cm. long, outer perianth-segments white but tinged with red or brown; inner perianth-segments white, acuminate.

Stem

Rarely single, usually of several branches, sometimes of many, arising from near the base, starting nearly at right angles to the main trunk but soon erect, up to 8 m tall, stems 10-12.5 cm in diameter ; 10 to 17 low and broad ribs, separated by narrow intervals, divided into large tubercles even when fully mature.