Xerophyte

Central Spines

4 , acicular, yellowish to reddish-brown, sometimes banded and flattened, sharp, of variable length which, in some cases, can reach the 20 cm.

Description

Echinopsis korethroidesSN|48]]SN|2757]] is probably one of the many geographical forms of the extremely variable Echinopsis formosaSN|2757]]SN|48]] and is placed as a subspecies by some authorities. It is a massive growing barrel cactus with a solid and spiny presence, solitary at first, but often branching basally to form colonies later. The dense yellowish-brown or reddish-brown spines would protect it from the extremes of cold and sunshine. The new spines are actually dark brown and appear in the spring.The spines can become so dense on mature specimens that the plant's body becomes obscured from view.

Flowers

Diurnal, orange, pink, red to dark purple, bell-shaped or funnelform, originating in the apical zone and are about 7 cm long and 4,5 cm broad. Tube short. axils of scales filled with woolly hairs.

Blooming Season

Open in the day in the spring.

Ribs

More than 20, narrow, tuberculate

Stem

Globose, oblong to shortly columnar, flat and somewhat depressed at the top, up to 70 cm high and 30-50 cm wide, multiply- ribbed, dull to glossy pale green, up to 0,5-1(-2) m tall, 20-35(-50) cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

12-20, needle-like, spreading, straight or slightly curved, colourful dry grass (or straw), amber, brown or reddish brown with dark tips, turning greyish-white as they ages, unequal, up to 3 (or more) cm long

Areoles

whitish.