Xerophyte

Habit

Plants solitary, rarely few branched.

Central Spines

(0-)1-4(-5), sometimes in two vertical series, whitish, erect, projecting, (1-)2-4(-15) mm long,

Description

Echinocereus pseudopectinatusSN|21864]]SN|16478]] is a great favourite in collections particularly priced for its dull pink spines and very showy huge magenta blooms. It is distinguished for its unusually thin, bristlelike spines clothing the flowers and fruits.

Flowers

Funnelform, from near the top of plant, magenta, to 5-8(-11) cm long, (6-)7-9(-10) cm in diameter. Flower tube 15-25 long, 8-20 mm in diameter; flower tube hairs 3-5 mm; inner tepals purplish pink with obscurer proximal portion and midstripes, 35-45 long and 10-22 mm broad, tips relatively thin and delicate; anthers dark yellow; nectar chamber to 3 mm.

Blooming Season

Spring, fruiting 2 months after flowering.

Spines

13-17 per areole, stiff and straight, white to dull pink, or grey, becoming grey with dark tips.

Ribs

(13-)15-16(-19), slightly tuberculate, crests slightly undulate.

Stem

Erect, short cylindrical, light green, to 20 cm high and 4-6 cm in diameter, partially obscured by spines.

Radial Spines

12-15, whitish, spreading, 9-12 mm long, appressed to spreading.

Fruits

Globose 15-23 mm in diameter, dark green, brownish tinged turning red, spiny, pulp white.

Areoles

Elloptical, 4-8 mm apart.