Xerophyte

Central Spines

1-2 stouter, erect 10-20 cm long.

Description

The Eulychnia saint-pieanaSN|7535]]SN|7535]] is a candelabriform or arborescent columnar succulent, much branched from below, often with a well developed woody trunk. It has many ribs which are set with large, white, woolly tufts accented by long central spines. It is a form with especially hairy areoles.

Flowers

Bell shaped, white to pale rose up to 2 cm long, segment mostly white with a darker midstripe. They develop from very woolly buds filled with dense brown to white wool and bristles near the top of the plant. Areoles of floral tube and pericarpel without stiff bristles. Tube densely scaly, and shorter than the pericarpel.

Blooming Season

Summer, the flowers stay open day and night.

Crested Growth

The beautiful and very rare crested form (Eulychnia saint-pieanaSN|7535]]SN|7535]] f. cristata) is sought after by specialized collectors and impassioned for its unique tufted appearance. It forms fan-shaped stems densely covered by large and very woolly areoles.

Spines

10-30, often poorly differentiated as central and radials, brown turning dull grey to chalky-white as they ages.

Ribs

Somewhat tuberculate, slightly furrowed between areoles.

Stem

Cristate 5-8 cm thik, greyish-green to dark green.

Radial Spines

0,5-2 cm long, diverging.

Fruits

Globose to pear shaped, up to 5-8 in diameter, fleshy, acid, especially hairy when young. The fruit is edible, but not very tasty.

Areoles

Close set, whit heavy wool and hairs.