Xerophyte

Central Spines

Usually absent, rarely one to 2 cm long.

Description

Echinopsis saltensisSN|16319]]SN|16319]] subsp. schreiteri (A.Cast.) M.Lowry , better known as Lobivia schreiteriSN|16340]]SN|16340]], is a common attractive dwarf cactus and particularly is fun as it matures and flowers at an early age. This is a variable species, that has received several of unnecessary names, none deserving acceptance as shown by field studies (like many other cacti) and comprises slightly different regional or morphological forms as well as various cryptic allied species. But where each form is linked to others by populations of plants with intermediate characteristics. E. saltensis subsp. schreiteri is a small-growing cactus with small clustering stems, deep-rooted, and partially buried in the ground. It form dense clusters or mats up to 30 cm wide and less than 3.5 cm tall (more in cultivation). The short-tubed flowers, about 3 cm long, are striped with bright red and purple and have reddish purple stamens.

Roots

Taproots large and woody.

Note

The epithet honours the Argentinian botanist R. Schreiter (fl. 1927).

Flowers

On side of plants nearly at ground level, funnelform, purplish red with darker throats, to 3(-4.5) cm long and 3(-3.8) cm in diameter. Pericarpel 5 mm long. Tube 1.5 cm long, bright green outside with loosely hairy elongated scales with a slightly brownish tip. Wool white mixed with a little black. Outer perianth-segments orange-red with a olive green central line. Inner-perianth-segments spatulated, red and purple, tip sharp mucronate. Throat blackish purple. Stamens in two series with reddish purple or violet filaments. Anthers light yellow. Style and stigmas yellowish green.

Ribs

9-14, continuous, rounded, and weakly sinuous.

Stem

Individual stems, globose to elongate, dark green or bluish green, 1.5-3 cm in diameter and up to 3.5 cm tall. Apex depressed, woolly.

Radial Spines

6 to 8 fine, curving, spreading outward and upward, whitish, 0.5-1 cm long. Young spines light brown, becoming straw yellow.

Areoles

Oval, whitish to grey, about 1.5 × 2.5 mm.