Xerophyte

Habit

Almost always solitary, although they may occasionally branch once or twice, possibly as the result of injury.

Seeds

Glossy black, papillate, nearly spherical to reniform seeds, 1 mm.

Description

Echinomastus intertextusSN|11304]]SN|11304]] subs. dasyacanthus is one of the local or morphological form of Echinomastus intertextusSN|11304]]SN|11304]] identifiable by its shaggy appearance. It is simply a larger form, with relatively long, protruding spine which contrasts with the smooth aspect of typical E. intertextus. These spines obscure the stem giving the plant a pale brownish appearance. Besides this subspecies has much larger flowers and the inner perianth-segments are acute or acuminate. It has also a more northern and eastern range. The flowers, fruits, and seeds of var. dasyacanthus appear to be identical to those of var. intertextus.

Roots

Diffuse

Flowers

As many as 20 simultaneously on the apex of a single stem, blooming in succession, several (up to about six) at a time, broadly funnelform, 2,3-3,0 cm long, 2,5-3 cm in diameter, white , often with pinkish midregions and tinge. Scales and outer perianth-segments red with white margins. Inner perianth-segments white or purplish, about 2,5 cm. long, acute or acuminate; ovary bearing a few ovate scales. Filaments pale green; Anthers cream yellow. Style greenish, stigma-lobes 9, erect, truncate at apex bright red or pink.

Blooming Season

Early spring. (in habitat late February through early April) for as many as 30 days. Individual flowers close at night and reopen for 2-3 days.

Spines

slender, more or less purplish

Ribs

About 13, somewhat spiraled, made up of numerous compressed tubercles.

Stem

Green, globose to ovoid to cylindrical, (7-)10-15(-17) cm or more long when sexually mature and 2-9 cm in diameter. Top of flowering plant and young areoles very woolly.

Radial Spines

16-24 slightly appressed to spreading, 8-2,4(-3) cm long (longer than those of var. intertextus). Color

Fruits

Globose to ovoid fruits, 8-15 mm green but upon ripening may turn tan to dull or pale reddish through-out or at the apex..

Areoles

Elliptic to nearly circular with felted areolar groove.