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E. obvallatus (caespitosus) An old mature specimen with beautiful
spines.
Description: It is a
globular cactus which became elongate when old , even though usually
solitary this species is one of the few members of the genus that can
put forth basal shoots. It does so as a young plant, becoming sometime
densely branched. Stems rather small up to 10 cm in diameter, 10 (20) cm
tall with about 27 corrugated, sharp-edged ribs, swollen where the
areoles grow. The latter are round and thickly felted around the apex,
later becoming almost bare.
Spines: there are 3 major spines on the upper part of the
areoles: two are conical and curved upward while the central spine is
flattened, yellowish or pinkish , about 2 (4) cm long and 2 (4) mm wide.
On the older part of the plant there are four small white radial spines,
and sometime another central spine appears below the others, pointing
downward; it is curved, flat, and the same length as the upper central
spine.
Flowers: 1-2 cm long can be up to 3-4cm in diameter. E.
obvallatus has white or pale yellow flowers with pink mid-veins and a
greenish base.. The plants known as Stenocactus pentacanthus have long
lasting bluish flowers in early spring.
Cultivation: Easy to to care and flower. It needs regular
cacti soil with good drainage. Propagation: Seeds (usually) or
but, since it tillers early, it is simpler to use
shoots. Exposure: It likes strong sunshine
but is tolerant and do well with light shade during the hot Summer
months, allow to dry between watering. It should not
be watered at all in winter. Frost Tolerance:
does not tolerate intense or prolonged cold (hardy to -5°C
if kept dry)
Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of
plants belonging to the
Echinofossulocactus obvallatus complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms
(like most Echinofossulocactus) whit several controversial varieties and subspecies):
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