Xerophyte

Habit

Single stemmed, or later becoming branched, some having as many as a dozen.

Description

Echinocereus russanthusSN|21782]]SN|21782]] subs. fiehnii is a controversial subspecies of the very variable Echinocereus russanthusSN|21782]]SN|21782]]. It distinguishes for its cylindrical body, many white-red spines and very small spiny pale red-yellow flowers which are among the smallest in the species. It blooms quite readily making this species a very interesting one at flowering time, which is usually in Spring.

Flowering Period

March - June.

Flowers

Diurnal, often occurring in clusters around the sides of the stem, shortly funnelform, 2-3,5 long 1,5-3 cm broad not always opening fully; typically pale yellow-red or rust-red, often with darker purplish maroon midstripes, anthers greenish-yellow.

Spines

Interlocking, bristle-like slender, typically white and reddish obscuring the stems, radiating in all directions.

Ribs

10-20, crests prominent, slightly to conspicuously undulate; areoles 3-12 mm apart.

Stem

Erect, spheric to short cylindric, 8-30 tall and 4-8 cm in diameter.

Fruits

Yellowish green, dark green, reddish tinged or dark purple, green, very spiny, 6-17 mm, pulp white.

Fruits ripen 2 months after flowering.