Xerophyte

Central Spines

Solitary, rarely as many as 4, sometimes absent, more or less curved or hooked, 1 to 2 cm long light brown.

Seeds

Spherical to ellipsoid, slightly constricted above the hilum, black, whit no aril.

Description

Echinopsis ancistrophoraSN|1041]]SN|1041]] is a striking Andean hookspined cactus of wide distribution showing extreme variation in flower colour and zize, with corolla lengths varying between 4.5 and 24 cm, and colour varying from white to dark-red. It is both solitary or forming clumps. Four subspecies are recognized, the nominate form subs. arachnacantha, subsp. cardenasiana and subs. pojoensis.

Flowers

Inodorous, borne laterally, open during the day, usually white or tinged pink outside, but also pink to deep red, (4-)12 to 16(-24) cm long. Floral tubes slender. Outer perianth-segments greenish, linear, acuminate. Inner perianth-segments multi-coluored, oblong, acute. Scales of pericarpel and tube with axillary hairs. The shortest flowed forms usually have morning anthesis and low nectar production while the longer flowered forms open at dusk with prolific nectar. Sphingid moths are prevalent only in the populations with the longest corollas, and all other populations are mainly pollinated by solitary bees.

Ribs

15-16(-20), stout, 1 cm high, broad at base, somewhat crenate, divided into many small tubercles.

Stem

Simple, subglobose, depressed, 5 to 8 cm in diameter, shining dark green.

Radial Spines

3 to 7(-10), whitish, slender, flexible, spreading backward, 5 to 15 mm long.

Fruits

Ellipsoid, dirty green to greenish purple, somewhat dry, 16 mm long, 8 mm in diameter. Scales on ovary and flower-tube small, their axils lanate.