Xerophyte

Habit

Basally branching, forming clusters or cushions, usually erect but sometimes prostrate and sprawling.

Central Spines

Solitary, acicular, porrect, with very bulbous base, perpendicular to stem surface, less than 15 mm long often with dark brown base, yellow zone in middle, brown tip.

Description

Echinocereus papillosusSN|8474]]SN|8474]] var. angusticeps is similar to the type species, but markedly smaller and forms large dense clusters of 12-50 stems (usually only 2 to 12 in Echinocereus papillosusSN|8474]]SN|8474]] )

Tubercles

Conical, with areoles on tip, 10-12 mm apart, separated by deep valleys which almost interrupt ribs continuity.

Flowers

As the species, extremely attractive and impressive, except slightly smaller with more petals, usually blunter at tips. Bright yellow (but more greenish than the species), up to 10 cm wide, with a paler red throat in early April-May.

Spines

As the species, white to brown or yellow but shorter.

Ribs

7 to 9 notched.

Stem

Small, cylinder-shapedpale green stems (tan colour in full sun), 7-12 cm long, 2-3 cm thick.

Radial Spines

About 7-11, acicular, stright, bristle-like, round, from bulbous bases, spreading, usually less than 10 mm long, upper 2-3 much shorter.

Fruits

A small green berry covered with short bristles.

Areoles

Small, bare.