Xerophyte

Habit

Usually solitary,

Central Spines

1 or 2 (to 4), growing one above the other, of variable form and length up to 7 cm long. They are sharp and needle-like, or sometimes flattened, pointing upward at first and then outward, yellow or brownish, brownish-black at their apex and somewhat reddish lower down.

Description

Stenocactus vaupelianusSN|6182]]SN|6182]] is a well-known in horticulture cactus species with a pale green epidermis, denser and thinner white radial spines, yellow to tan coloured spines and yellowish flowers. However its classification is controversial and all available informations about this taxon can only be described as contradictory, and most of the the plants labelled Stenocactus vaupelianusSN|6182]]SN|6182]] don’t fits at all the original description of Dietrich. This species is considered Data Deficient because there is a general lack of understanding on the taxonomic position of the species within the genus and thus is it no possible to define either the spatial or systematic limits of the taxon.

Flowers

The flowers are 2 (2,5) cm. long, often remain squeezed between the apical spines, and have pale yellow, creamy-white (or pink) segments with a darker mid-stripe.

Ribs

About 35 (30 to 40) slender ribs deeply notched wavy and corrugated.

Stem

Globular glaucous stems, 7 to12 cm in diameter and across and has a woolly, spiny apex.

Radial Spines

(10 to) 15 to 25 slender, almost transparent white, 1-1.5 cm long straight or slightly curved, and radially arranged, overlapping each other above the ribs.

Areoles

Round large at first covered with white felt.