| Place of origin:
The northwest of Argentina, provinces of Salta, Catamarca
and Jujuy.
Description: The plant have solitary globular
stem of dark bluish or green color. It is the bigger of the
genus and could reach up to 40 cm. wide.
The ribs are between 13 and 22, according to the size of the
plant. They present low and prominent tubercles, of up to
4 cm. long, divided by cross-sectional furrows.
Areolas, are big and felted when the plant is young and they
are separated about 2 or 4 cm. to each other.
Radial spines are between 8 and 10, although in adult specimens
they can be 15. They measure between 3 and 4 cm. long and
grow straight at first but soon they do it radially and a
little curved outwards. There is just one central spine, but
they can be many with age. All are red or blackish.
The flowers, of short tube, measure about 3.5 cm. and are
of white color although they can present pink tones.
The fruit measures 2 cm. wide and is reddish.
Growing tips: Since the species is very
variable, the propagation by seed can increase this characteristic,
although the variations are noticed in adult plants. It is
a fast grower and it does better with some shade in summer. |
