Xerophyte

Description

Solitary spherical to columnar cactus, 10-25cm in diameter and 7-30 cm tall or more, depending on the variety. There are a number of varieties that differ with flower color, dimension and spination.

Note

This species (and particularly the carmine flowered variety kermesina) is often used in hybridization, and is an important component of some modern Echinopsis hybrids, lending its large showy flower structure to these hybrids.

Flowers

Up to 20 cm long, 10 cm wide. Typically the species has white nocturnal flowers to attract moth pollinators. Large, but the flowers may be white with rose colored tips, purple or deep red. The flowers of this species are characterized by relatively short floral tube scales and unusual seeds.

Blooming Season

This species will produce flowers in the summer when only 8 cm in diameter. The blossoms open at night and last about 24 hours.

Stem

Large and globular, with many ribs divided into low rounded tubercles.