Xerophyte

Description

This is a monstrous form with stems constricted in irregular segments. The ribs structure varies from part to part of the stems, in some areas the ribs are almost normal, vertical with standard spiny areoles, while in other places the ribs disappear and the surface is formed by flattened, polygonal, spineles, tubercles, whit transitional parts between.The standard Espostoa guentheriSN|6818]]SN|6818]] (Vatricania) is a shrubby columnar cactus with attractive golden-spined stems that exhibit varying densities of lateral cephalia; that is, beds of woolly hairs grow on the sides of the branches from which comes flowers and fruits. It grows in habitat to about 2 m high and will branch in age from the base. This species was placed in its own genus Vatricania because it occurs in eastern Bolivia whereas all the Espostoas occur in Peru.

Cephalium

Lateral up to to 50 cm long, and 6-7 cm thick, brownish, with reddish-brown to grey wool, reddish bristles and many spines 4-6 cm long. The cephalium, which is a zone of long, fine spines, first occurs superficially on one side of the stem but eventually grows to completely encircle the top of the plant often making them resemble elongated leeches. This can he achieved in a glasshouse but takes many years since the plant tends to he slow growing in cultivation. The cephalium is often oriented in only one direction, but now and then different branches will have cephalia facing in different directions. Given that this species inhabits proximity to the equator, where there is no evident advantage to orientation in any particular direction.

Flowers

Campanulate to tubular, yellowish or whitish up to 8 cm long, 2,5-3 cm in diameter pericarpels and floral tubes with fine pinkish wool.

Blooming Season

The flowers come in early summer.

Spines

15-25 spines, 5-22 mm long straw yellow to reddish.

Ribs

27, barely tuberculate.

Stem

Pale green, erect, up to 2(-3) m tall and 10 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Roundish, scaly edible but not particularly tasty or sweet of odd texture and a flavour that ranges from indifferent to strange.

Areoles

Yellowish white, woolly, spaced about 1 cm on the rib.