Xerophyte

Central Spines

5-6, similar to the radials except a little longer and stouter to 3 cm long.

Seeds

Small, black.

Description

Arrojadoa rhodanthaSN|4847]]SN|4847]] is a shrubby cactus, at first erect, afterwards branching basally and clambering. It can reach a height of over one metre. Every year the tubulaar violet-red flowers are produced in clusters from a cephalium at the top of the joints. A. rhodantha is fairly variable and several controversial subspecies and varieties have been described.

Roots

Fibrous.

Cephalium

At the tops of the joints with 1 .5-2 cm long brown wool and up to 3 cm long reddish brown bristles.

Flowers

Deep pink to violet-red, diurnal at the upper areoles, forming in clusters of 12 to 14 in a pseudocephalium at the tops of branches, 3 to 4 cm long, 1.2-2(-3) cm in diameter, nearly cylindric, the tube short pink, rigid, ovary and lower part of tube naked. Perianth-segments in several rows, short, erect, uppermost scales and perianth-segments similar, obtuse. Stamens numerous, included.

Chromosome Number

2n = 22

Spines

At first brown, in age white when young accompanied by some long cobwebby hairs.

Ribs

Ten to twelve, fairly shallow.

Stem

Joined 1 to 2 meters long. Joints short cylindric, flattened at the top, dark green 20-40(-50) mm thick.

Fruits

Red, naked, juicy oblong to obovate, about 2 cm long.

Radial Spines

About 20, to 12 mm long.

Areoles

Small, with short wool, in close proximity, usually less than 1 cm apart.