Xerophyte

Central Spines

1 to 4 (- 6), mostly 2-4,5 cm long.

Description

Echinocereus cinerascens subs. septentrionalisSN|7817]]SN|21855]] is one of the subspecies of the wide ranging and very variable Echinocereus cinerascensSN|7775]]. True to its name, it is found in northern part of the areal above to 1200 meter and distingushed from the type species by having stems about 6 cm in diameter with 6-8 ribs. The flowers, like in other varieties, are very showy, bright pink or purple up to 12 cm in diameter.

Habitat

Growing in patches 6 to 12 dm broad, branching at base, the stems semi-erect, ascending to decumbent about 3 dm tall.

Flowers

Large, broadly funnel.shaped, including ovary, 6 to 8 cm long and up to 12 cm in diameter, pink to purple open petaled, usually with paler yellow, cream or green throat. They come from the side areoles. The tube very short; scales on ovary and tube small, acute, their axils crowded with short white wool and 6 to 8 long white bristles; inner perianth-segments, when dry, deep purple, 3 to 4 cm long, obtuse, stamens short.

Spines

7-16 white or pale, straight, rough, 1,5 to 2 cm long.

Ribs

6-8 blunt prominent, obtuse, slightly warty or evenly edged;

Stem

Soft, pale green (that redden in full sun and with freezing climate), cylindrical, 10-30 cm tall about 6 cm in diameter; erect or slightly prostrate as they age.

Radial Spines

7-10 variable in length from 1 to 5,5 cm

Fruits

Nearly spherical, greenish spiny 2-3 cm in diameter, edible and delicious (tastes similar to strawberries just like Echinocereus cinerascensSN|7775]] and Echinocereus stramineusSN|21855]]SN|7817]] do)

Areoles

Circular largely spaced.