Xerophyte

Habit

It is a solitary or rarely clumping species.

Central Spines

Conspicuous, erect, curved to almost hooked, variable in length mostly 4-6 cm long but sometime up to 18 cm long (there are also forms with only short spines).

Description

Echinopsis backebergiiSN|9502]]SN|9502]] subs. wrightiana is a small cactus species, with conspicuous bright coloured blooms and long thin wispy spines that, due to its flower structure typical of the Lobivias, it is commonly known as Lobivia wrightianaSN|22812]]SN|22812]]. It is one of the more popular, hardy, and beautiful among the small, globe-shape Easter Lily cacti.

Roots

Large turnip-like storage root.

Flowers

On the side of the stem, 4 cm in diameter, 4-5(or more) cm tall, pale lilac to bright-pink with often lighter throats, stamens adpressed, short, longer in older specimens; the flower tube is long and narrow.

Blooming Season

Flowers are produced in spring and remain open for about four days. Easy to grow and flower if kept cool during winter.

Stem

Flattish-globose to more or less clavate or short-cylindric ash-green to dark greyish green up to 7 cm tall, 5 cm in diameter. Ribs (13-)16-17(-19), slightly spiral, low, slightly tuberculate, with round white areoles.

Radial Spines

Thin, variable in number and length.