| Place of origin:
Argentina, province of Mendoza.
Description: Arbustive species with bluish
color stem. It reaches 2 m. high and between 3 and 4 cm. wide.
The plant ramifies and the articles usually are narrowed in
the extremity. The ribs are little prominent, slightly tuberous,
and appear in number of 8. The areolas are in slight protuberances
on the ribs. They are big and black. Spines are black, but
the lower part is white. The plant shows 9 long, and 4 central
heavy, black spines, of between 1 and 2 cm. Flowers have funnel
form and are about 20 cm. long. The external part is green
and with pink or reddish edges, and the internal part is white
or pink. The fruits, once mature, are brownish, oval shaped
and about 8 cm. long. This species has different varieties
like melanacantha, of violet-red stem and shining black central
spines, and lanbeckii, with white radial spines.
Growing tips: Resist cold well, if dry.
Propagation by seeds or cuttings. |
