Xerophyte

Description

The hybrids of Echinopsis (commonly known as Easter Lily Cactus ) are very popular and widely grown for their easy cultivation and for the showy flowers, but the beautiful crested forms are still rare in cactus collection. There are lots of different hybrids in cultivation, which are not easy to recognize if not in flower. The standard Echinopsis are spherical to cylindrical spiny cactus with many branches that can form large mound up to 50 cm (or more) in diameter. The beautiful crested form, here described (mauve form), is rare in collection and priced for its large growing size and dark mauve-green fan-like stem.

Flowers

This clone produces nice pink blooms up to 15 cm long and 7-8 cm in diameter.

Spines

It has very short greyish-brown spines all quite similar in shape.

Stem

Fat, strong green, bronze green or dark mauve-green depending on sun exposure. It can form in age a large convoluted mound and can reach a considerable size (up to 50 cm tall and in diameter, or more )

Areoles

Small, roundish, whitish-grey.