Description:
Plants
are usually
solitary and flattened.
(But nowadays the var. armata is
considered none other
han a synonym of E. curvispina,
which is one of the most variable taxons in appearance.
In fact, there
are a number of varieties
that are very different-looking, but not all the
authorities recognize the different populations as segregate varieties.)
Stem: Dull, green, flattened, globular to shortly columnar, up to 15
cm tall, 8-20 cm in diameter.
Spines: Long, stiff, greyish-brown spines with darker tips.
Young
spines are almost black, while older ones
turn greyish.
Flowers:
Flowers of E. armata are about 4 cm in diameter,
and yellow with
a red
mid-vein
The
variety armata is like aconcaguensis
variety, but has flowers that are yellow with pink midstipes.
Cultivation:
It is a summer-growing
species. It's
easy to cultivate, but
somewhat
rot prone if kept in a non
ventilated place.
It's extremely
root prone,
and
requires a very quickly draining/drying soil.
Water regularly
in summer, but do not over-water.
It needs a
full sun exposure (or
light shade). Good heat tolerance.
Hardy to at least -5°C (but
it can probably
tolerate
- 10° C for brief periods)
Propagation:
Usually propagated from Seeds.
(it
seldom produces offsets) |