Xerophyte

Habit

Except for the spines it is identical in shape and size to the standard species.

Description

This is an eye-catching variegated cactus that always make a spectacular attraction. This plant differs from the common Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusoniiSN|3345]]SN|3345]]) for the spines that are stout but intermediate in length between the standard from and the short spined type "brevispinus". The variegated plants have yellow sectors that contrasts nicely with the normal green epidermis.

Flowers

Flower are diurnal, vivid yellow (4-5 cm wide) and form a circular ring at the top of the plant, but are not very visible being small in relation with the size of the barrel, and lost into the creamy coloured wool at the plant apex.

Blooming Season

The flowers are produced from end of spring to summer only on larger mature specimens receiving enough full sun.

Spines

Yellow, intermediate in length between the standard from and the short spined type "subinermis" (syn. brevispinus), stout, spreading and nicely curved toward the body.

Stem

Single, slowly growing, heavily ribbed, globe-shaped becaming elongated (barrel-shaped) in maturity, green with yellow variegation, up to 90 cm (180 cm) in height and spread. They normally offset with advanced age and a few multiples occur even at small sizes.

Areoles

Numerous, closely set the becomes almost adjacent at maturity.