Xerophyte

Central Spines

2-3, yellow or brown, erect, needle-like, 2-3 cm long.

Seeds

Black, oval to pear shaped, rough, tuberculate.

Description

Espostoopsis dybowskiiSN|7944]]SN|7944]] is the only species in the Espostoopsis genus. It is a night blooming cereoid species, mainly branching near the base. The flowers are white, tubular and bell shaped.

Flowers

Nocturnal, shortly tubular-campanulate, white, to 4 cm long; pericarpels naked; floral tubes with very small scales less than 1 mm long, otherwise naked. Tepals short, white.

Fertile Zone

Blooms are produced in a lateral cephalium, consisting of masses of long white wool.

Crested Growth

The crested form (Espostoopsis dybowskiiSN|7944]]SN|7944]] f. cristata) - despite to its beauty - is still very rare and sought after by collectors, for its unique features.

Ribs

Low.

Stem

Fan shaped, up to 8 cm in thick, with white hairs completely obscuring them.

Radial Spines

Numerous, short, fine, hidden in the areolar hairs.

Fruits

Broadly ovoid, nearly naked, pale pink with white pulp, indehiscent, 2.5 cm in diameter; pericarp thick, floral remains persistent and becoming black.

Areoles

Furnished with matted yellowish wool and abundant white hairs covering the whole stem.