| Place of origin:
North of Argentina, province of Jujuy, between Tilcara and
La Quiaca.
Description: The stem initially is spherical,
although it becomes cylindrical with age, reaching 25 cm.
high and 10 cm. wide.
The ribs are between 25 and 50 and are deeply divided.
It is hard to say which spines are radial and which are central.
They are arranged in number of 15. They are robust and thin,
of wide base and irregular length. The bigger ones can be
more than 8 cm. long. They are curved upwards, flexible and
the new ones shows the extremity uncinated. They can be yellowish
or brown.
The flowers are white, about 10 cm. long, are funnel shaped,
and have a long and curved thin tube.
There is known the variety Nigra, which stem can reach 30
cm. high, have 20 ribs, brown and blackish or grayish spines.
Growing tips: The species tolerates cold
very well and does better in partial shade, specially on summer.
Propagation by seeds. |
