Xerophyte

Habit

It is a densely cespitose cactus species, with numerous short, upright heads that can form clumps to 30 cm in diameter.

Central Spines

1 (or more) up to 15 mm long bristly with darker reddish tips.

Seeds

1 mm long, tuberculate.

Description

Echinocereus sciurusSN|8685]]SN|8681]] subs. floresii v. Bergform, also known as Echinocereus floresiiSN|8681]]SN|8685]] v. Bergform is an unpublished catalogue name (nomen nudum), unusual among the floresii in producing a long thin central spine. It is, as the name states, a mountain form ("Bergform" in Germany) presumably coming from the higher part of the species range. It is a poorly know taxon easily telling apart from other conspecific variety for its thinner spination whit reddish central spines. All the other characteristics, namely size and form of stems, roots, flowers and fruit are identical.

Roots

Tuberous.

Flowers

Bright pink 5 cm long, 7 cm in expansion when fully open occurring down the sides of the plant. Ovary and tube densely spinose. Stigma lobes green. Self sterile.

Blooming Season

Late spring.

Spines

Many thin flexible more or less appressed.

Stem

Slender, short, mostly erect, cylindrical, tapered toward the tips, often 25 cm tall, and 4 cm in diameter partially hidden by the many short dense spines.

Fruits

Subglobose, reddish green with white pulp.

Areoles

Small at first woolly, becoming naked 5-8 mm apart on the same rib.