Xerophyte

Habit

Usually solitary or branching from the base, forming loose clumps of fewer than 20 stiff branches in old age, with its stem completely obscured by a layer of spines that can vary in colour depending on growing conditions. On some individuals, each year's new spines make a distinct band around the plant. The result is a stem with alternating bands of colour, vaguely suggesting a rainbow and similar to, but not as bold as, the Arizona Rainbow Cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimusSN|21844]]SN|8509]])

Central Spines

3 to 10 central spines, up to 15 mm long, brown or purplish-black , straight, spreading in all directions.

Description

Echinocereus dasyacanthus var. rectispinusSN|8509]]SN|21844]] is one of the morphological or local forms of Echinocereus dasyacanthusSN|5533]]SN|5533]] distinguished by having slightly longer brown, purplish, violet or black central spines. There are no other clear distinguishing features, and they must all be regarded as the same species.

Flowers

7-10 cm wide, 7-12 cm long; inner tepals, either yellow or rarely orange-yellow, salmon -pink to magenta with age, basal portion green in either case, tips relatively thin and delicate; The outer petals often have a darker or reddish midstripe. Anthers are yellow. The stigma has 16-20 lobes.

Blooming Season

April-May.

Spines

The stem is completely covered with short spines presenting a relatively bristly appearance. Annual growth increments are marked (often vaguely) by rings of spines with contrasting colours (depending on growing conditions) that grey with age.

Ribs

Straight, approx 15-20, crests rather sharply undulate.

Stem

Ovoid, becoming cylindrical with age, upright, green, 10-20-(40) cm tall, 4-7(-10) cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

Appressed, 16 to 24, up to 10 mm long pink to pale yellow, white, or tan, .

Fruits

Dark, dull, purplish to maroon (sometimes remaining green), 2-3,5 cm, pulp white to purplish pink. The spiny fruits are edible, although acid.

Areoles

3-5(-11) mm apart.