Xerophyte

Seeds

Black, glossy, about 2 mm long; hilum basal but oblique.

Description

Echinopsis strigosaSN|8181]]SN|8181]], formerly Trichocereus strigosusSN|8183]]SN|8183]], is a shrubby cactus species that forms clumps to 1 metre in diameter with masses of white trumpet-shaped flowers in the summer.

Flowers

Born laterally, opening at night, funnelform, large, 14-20 cm long, and ca. 5 cm in diameter, inner petals white, outer ones salmon pink, the scales on the ovary and tube with long silky golden-yellow to brownish-yellow hairs in their axils. The insertions of stamen begin on the base of the tube or 1-2 mm above.

Spines

Numerous, all similar, very variable as to colour and length, either white, yellowish, pinkish, or reddish brown, to nearly black, sometimes with darker tips, acicular, pungent, somewhat spreading. Central spines 1-3, most often only one developed, 4-7 cm long. Radial spines 9-16, 1-5 cm long.

Ribs

15 to 18, very low, 4 to 5 mm high, obtuse.

Stem

Branches usually simple, erect, or ascending, sometimes 60 cm high, 5 to 6 cm in diameter, light green and very spiny.

Fruits

Globose, fleshy, yellow or orange, 4-6.5 cm long.

Areoles

Circular, rather large, approximate, 4 to 8 mm apart, densely white-felted when young.