Xerophyte

Central Spines

1 to 8 longer and stouter (approx 30-40 mm long) similar in colour and shape to the radials.

Description

Eriosyce strausianaSN|18]]SN|18]], known in older description under the name Pyrrhocactus strausianusSN|25]]SN|25]], is a solitary or slowly clumping cactus with very strong spines. Flowers grow up at the top. Two subspecies are recognized, the nominate form and subsp. pachacoensis (Rausch) Ferryman.

Roots

Fibrous from a short tap root.

Flowers

3-4 cm long, 3,5-5 cm in diameter. Apical, broad funnel-form, straw coloured to dirty amber-yellow . Pericarpel and floral tube with wool and bristles.

Ribs

12 to14 in adult specimens. Obtuse and somewhat notched.

Stem

Globose to to sub-globose or cylindrical as it becomes old, up to 20 cm tall and 8-15 cm in width, dark green to olive green.

Radial Spines

8 to 14 about 25-30 mm long, Mostly curved upward, subulate, base swollen, dark greyish-black or dark horn coloured with black tips. Young spines are almost black (with a dark purple base), while older ones turn grayish.

Fruits

Only about 7-10 mm long, egg-shaped, greenish with thin wall, opening at maturity from a basal pore.

Areoles

Oval, woolly and hairy when young (with yellowish felt), later naked.