SPECIES.
[E. brevihamatus] (short-hooked).—Several kinds of Echinocactus are distinguished from the rest in having the ridges divided into tubercles, which are often globular and arranged in a spiral round the stem, as in the genus Mamillaria; to this section the present species belongs. The stem is almost sphere-shaped, from 4 in. to 6 in. high, the tuberculated ridges about ¼ in. deep, and upon each tubercle is a tuft of about a dozen brown, radiating spines, with a long central one hooked at the point. The flowers are borne in clusters on the top of the stem, three or four opening together; they are 1 in. in length, and the same across the spreading petals, which are pink, shaded with deep rose. A native of the mountainous regions of South Brazil; introduced about 1850. Flowers in summer. This pretty little plant will thrive if placed upon a shelf in a greenhouse where it will have full sunshine during the greater part of the day. It grows very slowly, especially when on its own roots, but succeeds better when grafted on another kind.
[E. centeterius] (many-spined); Bot. Mag. 3974.—This has a conical-shaped stem, 6 in. high by 4 in. wide, with about fourteen ridges, which are notched, and bear star-shaped clusters of pale brown spines, ½ in. long. The blossoms are borne rather thickly on the summit of the stem, from six to nine flowers being sometimes open together; and as they are each nearly 3 in. across, and of good substance, they present an attractive appearance. The petals are of a deep straw-colour, with a reddish streak down the centre, and 1½ in.long, with the apex notched or toothed. The stamens are spirally coiled round the stigma, which is club-shaped and white. This species is probably a native of Mexico, and was first flowered in England at Kew, in 1841. A cool, dry greenhouse suits it best; or it may be grown in a sunny room window where frost would not be allowed to reach it in winter. Unless subjected to very dry treatment during the winter months, and also kept in a position where all the sunlight possible would reach it—even when at rest —there is not much chance of this plant producing its large flowers. It may be kept alive by giving it uniform treatment all the year round, but it would never flower.
[E. cinnabarinus] (cinnabar-flowered); Bot. Mag. 4326.—This is another of the Mamillaria-like kinds, and is remarkable for the depressed form of its stem, which may be likened to a sea urchin, both in size and shape. Old plants are from 6 in. to 8 in. in diameter, and about 4 in. high; the spiral formed by the tubercles rises very gradually, and each of the latter is surmounted by a tuft of strong, brown, radiating spines, imbedded in a little cushion of wool. The flowers spring from the outside of the depressed top of the stem, two or three opening together and forming a beautiful picture, both as to size and colour. The tube is short and green, with a row of long green sepals at the top, and above these the petals, which are 2 in. long, overlapping, recurved, the edges toothed, and the colour a brilliant cinnabar-red. The stamens are in two series, very numerous, and the anthers are bright yellow. Looking at the flattened, spiny stem, it seems impossible that such large, handsome flowers should be produced by it. A native of Bolivia; introduced about 1846. It blossoms in July, and may be grown on a shelf in a cool greenhouse, as advised for the E. centeterius.
[E. concinnus] (neat); Fig. 29.—A small species with a globose stem, 2 in. high and 3 in. wide, and about twenty ridges, which are rounded, rather broad, each bearing about half-a-dozen little bunches of spines arranged in a star. The flowers are numerous, as large as, or larger than, the stem, being 3 in. long and broad, the tube covered with brown hair-like spines, and having a few reddish scales, whilst the petals are in several rows, overlapping, with pointed tips, and are coloured dark yellow with a red streak down the centre. Several flowers are sometimes developed together on a little stem, when they have the appearance of being much too large for so small a plant to support. The pale green of the stem and its brown spines contrast prettily with the handsome yellow flowers, which are brightened by the streaks of red on the petals and the clear red colour of the stigma. It is a native of Mexico, and was introduced about 1840, flowering early in summer. It requires a warm greenhouse temperature all the year round, with, of course, plenty of sunshine. It may be grafted on the stem of an erect-growing Cereus, such as C. serpentinus or C. Napoleonis, the stock to be not higher than 6 in., and about as wide as the plant of E. concinnus is at the base.
FIG. 29.—ECHINOCACTUS CONCINNUS
[E. coptonogonus] (wavy-ribbed); Fig. 30.—Stem globose, seldom more than 5 in. in diameter, depressed on the top, with from ten to fourteen strong, sharp-edged, wavy ribs, the furrows also being wavy. Spine tufts set in little depressions along the margins of the ribs, five spines in each tuft, the two upper 1 in. long and four-angled, the two lower flattened and shorter, the fifth, which is the longest, being placed in the top of the cushion. Flowers 2 in. across, daisy-like, produced in April and May; tube very short; sepals and petals linear, spreading, white, with a purple stripe down the centre; stamens red, with yellow anthers; pistil purple, with an eight-rayed, yellow stigma. A native of Mexico. (Syn. E. interruptus.)
FIG. 30.—ECHINOCACTUS COPTONOGONUS
[E. cornigerus] (horn-bearing).—This remarkable plant, of which a portion is represented at Fig. 31, has the stoutest spines of all cultivated Cactuses, and their arrangement on the ridges of the stem is such as would withstand the attacks of all enemies. The broad tongue-like spine is purple in colour, and as strong as iron; the three erect horn-like spines yellow, and as firm as the horns of an antelope, to which they bear a resemblance. The stem is sphere-shaped, grey-green in colour, and is divided into from fourteen to twenty-one stout wavy ribs, upon which the spine tufts occur at intervals of about 2 in. The arrangement of the spines is shown in the illustration, as also is the position of the flowers, which are small, with narrow purple petals and brown-red sepals. The plant is a native of Mexico and Guatemala, and would require stove treatment. We have seen only small living examples, but according to descriptions and figures, the most interesting character it possesses is its spiny armament. It has been called Melocactus latispinus and Echinocactus latispinus.
FIG. 31.—ECHINOCACTUS CORNIGERUS
[E. corynodes] (club-like); Fig. 32.—The stem of this is about as large as a Keswick Codlin apple, with the broad end uppermost, and the sides cut up into about a dozen and a half rather prominent sharp ridges, with bunches of stout yellow spines arranged, at intervals of about 1 in., along the edges. The flowers, which are produced in a cluster on the top of the stem, form a crown of bright yellow petals, studded with scarlet eye-like stigmas. Each flower is 2 in. in diameter when fully spread out, cup-shaped, and composed of two or three rows of over-lapping petals. In the middle of these nestle the short stamens, and projecting well beyond them is the bright scarlet stigma, forming a beautiful contrast to the petals. This plant is a native of Mexico, and was introduced about the year 1837. It is also known in gardens under the names of E. rosaceus and E. Sellowianus. There was a pretty little specimen of this flowering in the Kew collection last year, and the opening and closing of the flowers, as the sunlight reached or receded from them, was almost as rapid as that observed in the daisy. The whole plant is so small, and, when in flower, so charming, that no one could fail to admire it. It requires similar treatment to E. concinnus.
FIG. 32.—ECHINOCACTUS CORYNODES
[E. crispatus] (curled); Fig. 33.—The flattened, wavy or curled ridges of this species are characteristic of several other kinds of Echinocactus. Its long, stout, ferocious-looking spines, directed upwards, have a very forbidding aspect. The stem grows to a height of about 8 in., and is said to produce its large, long-tubed, purple flowers in the summer months. It has been introduced by a Continental nurseryman, but, so far as is known, has not yet flowered in any English collection. It is apparently closely allied to E. longihamatus.
FIG. 33.—ECHINOCACTUS CRISPATUS
[E. Cummingii] (Cumming's); Bot. Mag. 6097.—A pretty little species, with a globose stem about 3 in. in diameter, the ridges divided into tubercles, and running spirally round the stem. From each tubercle springs a radiating cluster of yellowish, hair-like spines. The flowers are numerous, 1 in. long and wide, the scales on the tube tipped with red, whilst the petals stamens, and stigma are an uniform bright ochre-yellow; so that, looked at from above, they suggest the flowers of the common marigold. A well-managed plant produces as many as half-a-dozen of these flowers together, which open out widely under the influence of bright sunlight. It is one of the hardiest of the genus, thriving well in a frost-proof house or frame. During winter, the atmosphere surrounding it should be as dry as possible; but in summer it likes plenty of moisture, and exposure to full sunshine. A variety of E. Cummingii was raised from seeds a few years ago by Mr. Daniel, of Epsom, the flowers of which were pale almost to whiteness. The type is said to attain a height of 8 in. in its native country, Bolivia, whence plants were introduced to Kew in 1847, and flowered in July.
[E. cylindraceus] (cylindrical).—A large-growing kind, attaining a height of several feet, very broad, and, as the name denotes, cylindrical in shape. When large, the stem often develops lateral branches about its base. Cultivated plants of it are 6 in. high, the sides marked with about a score of ridges, upon which, arranged in a dense cluster, are the stout, strong spines, the longest of them 3 in. long, hooked, and projecting outwards, the shorter spreading and interlacing so as to form a sort of spiny network all round the stem. The flowers are yellow, 2 in. long, and are composed of a short, thick tube bearing from forty to fifty fringed sepals, and about half that number of petals, which are also fringed. There are as many as a dozen flowers opened together on stout, aged plants; it is, however, more because of the densely spinous stems than the flowers that this species has found its way into cultivation. It cannot be recommended for any except large collections, and where it can be grown in a stove temperature. It is a native of the hot deserts of Colorado, and was introduced about ten years ago. There are several healthy young specimens of it in the Kew collection.
[E. echidne] (viper; probably in allusion to the fang-like spines).—This species is remarkable in having a stout cylindrical stem, 12 in. high by 8 in. wide, with about a dozen deep ridges; these are disposed spirally, and bear tufts of rigid, broad spines, 1 in. or more long, spreading, so as to interlace and form a wire-like network all round the stem. It may be mentioned here that an American naturalist has recently suggested that the object of these iron-like spines on the stems of many Cactuses, and more especially on the majority of the Hedgehog kinds, is not so much to defend the fleshy stems from browsing animals as to afford protection from the scorching rays of the sun, which would otherwise cause the stems to blister and shrivel; and the nature of the spiny covering of E. echidne seems to support such a view. As in many others, the clusters of spines in this plant have their bases embedded in a tuft of whitish wool. The flowers are developed near the centre of the top of the stem, and are of medium size, bright yellow, with whitish stamens; they are produced two or three together, in summer. This species is a native of Mexico; it thrives in a greenhouse where frost is excluded, but only rarely flowers with us under cultivation.
[E. Emoryi] (Emory's); Fig. 34.—This is a very large-stemmed kind, specimens having been found nearly 3 ft. in height and about 2 ft. in diameter. Smaller plants, such as are in English collections, have globose stems 1 ft. through, with about thirteen ribs, the ribs tuberculated, the tubercles large, and rounded; the spines are borne on the apex of the tubercles in star-shaped bundles of eight or nine, and are angled, often flat on the top side, articulated, with hooked points, whilst in length they vary from 1 in. to 4 in. The flowers are 3 in. long, the tube clothed with heart-shaped scales or sepals; the petals are red, with yellowish margins, spreading so as to form a beautiful, large, cup-like flower, with a cluster of deep yellow stamens in the centre. The flowering period is in the autumn, and the plant is a native of the Lower Colorado and California. Living plants of it have only recently been introduced into English collections. At Kew, it is cultivated in a warm greenhouse, where it is in good health. From accounts of it in its native haunts, it will, however, probably prefer a cool house in winter, and as much sun and warmth as possible in spring and summer; for we are told that during winter it is often subjected to severe frosts and heavy snowfalls, whilst in summer the fierce heat of the sun is such as to burn up all vegetation, except Cactuses and other similar plants.
FIG. 34.—FLOWER AND SPINES OF ECHINOCACTUS EMORYI
[E. gibbosus] (humped).—A small apple-like plant, not more than 4 in. high, with a depressed top, the lower part being narrowed. It has sixteen ribs or ridges, composed of rows of thick fleshy tubercles, upon every other of which are six or eight horny spines, 1 in. long. The flowers are pushed out from the edge of the depression on the top of the stem, and are large; the tube 1½ in. long. The petals spread to a width of 3 in., and are arranged in several rows, overlapping each other, becoming smaller towards the centre of the flower, as in an aster; they are pure white, except for a tinge of red on the tips of the outer ones, the stamens being bright yellow. Two flowers are usually developed on a plant, generally in June. This species was introduced from Jamaica about 1808, by a nurseryman in Hammersmith; but as no Echinocactuses are wild in the West Indian Islands, it must have been introduced into Jamaica from some of the Central American States, or probably from Mexico. It may be grafted on to another free-growing kind with advantage, as it does not always keep healthy when on its own roots. It should be grown in a cool greenhouse, or in the window of a dwelling-room, always, however, in a position where it would get plenty of sunlight.
[E. Haynii] (Hayne's); Fig. 35.—An upright cylindrical-stemmed species, very much like a Mamillaria in the form and position of the tubercles and the numerous greyish hair-like spines arranged in a radiating ring on the top of each tubercle. The flowers are much longer than in any yet described, the tube being 6 in. in length, clothed with large sepals on the upper portion, and the petals are semi-erect with recurved points, and coloured a brilliant purple-red. A native of Peru, where it is found at high elevations, growing in crevices of rocks and exposed to full sunlight. With us it thrives in a warm greenhouse, producing its beautiful flowers in summer. Introduced about 1850.
FIG. 35.—ECHINOCACTUS HAYNII
[E. hexaedrophorus] (tubercles six-sided); Fig. 36.—This plant is distinguished by the gouty-looking tubercles into which its broad, spiral ridges are divided, and which look as if they would suddenly burst like a blister if pricked with a pin. It grows about 4 in. in height, and is similar in form to what is shown in the accompanying figure, except that the top is usually flatter than here represented. The whole stem has a glaucous hue, and the spines are reddish-brown. The flowers, which are produced freely in June and July, are short-tubed, spreading to a width of 2 in.; the petals toothed at the tips, and arranged in several rows, overlapping each other, the colour being white, tinted with rose, with a disk-like cluster of yellow stamens in the centre, and a white-rayed stigma. A native of North Mexico, introduced about 1830. It is very slow-growing, attaining full size in not less than six years from seed; indeed, it is stated that in twelve years a plant of it did not grow more than 2 in. Still, slow as it is, it remains in good health when kept in a sunny position on a shelf in a greenhouse or in a dwelling-room, so that it may be recommended for places where space is very limited. Like E. gibbosus, it does best when grafted on to another kind. We have seen perfect "drum-sticks" formed by grafting a full-grown plant of this on the stem of a Cereus.
FIG. 36.—ECHINOCACTUS HEXAEDROPHORUS
[E. horizonthalonis] (spreading-spined); Fig. 37.—Stem globose, usually flattened on the top, and divided into eight or nine large ribs or ridges, grey-green in colour. Spines in crowded star-shaped clusters along the apex of the ribs, seven spines in each cluster, all of them strong, slightly curved, horn-like, and marked with numerous rings; they are yellow, tipped with red when young, ash-coloured when old; the longest are about 2 in. in length. Flowers terminal, springing from the young spine tufts, each 4 in. across, with two rows of petals arranged regularly in the form of a cup; colour deep rose, paler on the inside of the cup; stamens very numerous, with white filaments and yellow anthers. The flowers expand at sunrise and close again in the evening, each one lasting about a week; they are very agreeably scented. Flowering season, May and June. The plant is a native of Mexico, and was introduced in 1838. (Syns. E. equitans, E. horizontalis.)
FIG. 37.—ECHINOCACTUS HORIZONTHALONIS
[E. Le Contei] (Le Conte's); Fig. 38.—Another of the large-stemmed kinds, which have only recently found their way into English gardens, although long since discovered and described by American travellers. The illustration represents a young plant. When full-grown, this species has a stem 5 ft. high by 2 ft. wide, with broad deep channels and ridges, wrinkled and covered with a thick network of stout spines, which are set in clusters in a cushion of whitish wool, the longest being about 3 in. in length, with curved or slightly hooked points, and distinctly angular. The flowers are 2 in. long, bell-shaped; the petals shining lemon-yellow, with a tinge of brown on the outside, whilst the sepals are like a number of fish-scales, overlapping each other down the outside of the campanulate tube. The stamens and pistil are almost hidden inside the flower. Flowers are borne by quite young plants, whilst upon full-grown specimens they are so numerous as to form a large yellow cap to the immense, prickly, conical stems. They are developed in August and September. A native of Mexico, where it is found wild on the rocky or gravelly plains and ravines, and often in crevices of perpendicular rocks. It requires warm greenhouse treatment, and plenty of water during the summer, care being taken that the soil it is planted in is perfectly drained.
FIG. 38.—ECHINOCACTUS LE CONTEI
[E. Leeanus] (Lee's); Bot. Mag. 4184.—This species has many characters in common with E. hexaedrophorus and E. gibbosus, the stem being no larger than a small orange, with plump globose tubercles, bearing star-shaped clusters of short brown spines. The flowers are 1½ in. long and wide, and are composed of a green fleshy tube, with a few whitish scales, which gradually enlarge till, with the white, rose-tipped petals, they form a spreading cup, the large cluster of pale yellow stamens occupying the whole of the centre. This pretty little Cactus was raised from seeds by Messrs. Lee, of the Hammersmith Nursery, in 1840. It is a native of the Argentine Provinces, and flowers in May. The treatment recommended for E. gibbosus will be found suitable for this. It is happiest when grafted on to another kind. For the amateur whose plants are grown in a room window or small plant-case, these tiny Hedgehog Cactuses are much more suitable than larger kinds, as they keep in health under ordinary treatment, and flower annually; whereas, the larger kinds, unless grown in properly-constructed houses, rarely blossom.
[E. longihamatus] (long-hooked); Fig. 39.—We heartily wish all species of Cactaceous plants were as readily distinguished and as easily defined in words as in the present remarkably fine and handsome one —remarkable in the very prominent ridges, the large and regularly-arranged spines, the central one very long, flattened, and usually hooked at the end, and handsome in the size and colouring of its flowers, both in the bud and when fully expanded. The stem is globose, 8 in. or more high; it has about thirteen prominent rounded ridges with waved tumid edges, from which, about 1½ in. apart, spring clusters of spines, about a dozen in each cluster, dark red when young, becoming brown with age. In length, these spines vary from 1 in. to 6 in., the latter being the length of the central, hooked one, which is broad and flattened at the base. The flowers are 4 in. broad and long, the tube short, green, and bearing reddish scales, which gradually pass into bright yellow petals blotched with red on the outside, the inner ones spreading and forming a shallow cup, in the centre of which are the short yellow stamens and large pistil. Plants of this species have been grown with stems 20 in. high; but it takes a great number of years for the development of such specimens. The flowers are produced on the apex of the stem in July. This species was introduced from Mexico about 1850; it thrives only when grown in a warm greenhouse, where the temperature in summer may be allowed to run up to 90 degs. with sun heat. For large collections it is one of the most desirable.
FIG. 39.—PORTION OF PLANT OF ECHINOCACTUS LONGIHAMATUS
[E. Mackieanus] (Mackie's); Bot. Mag. 3561.—A small plant, not more than about 5 in. high, and 2 in. broad at the base, widening slightly upwards. The ridges are broken up into numerous fleshy, rounded, green tubercles, crowned with a tuft of thin brown spines from ½ in. to 1 in. long, their bases set in a small pad of yellow wool: As the stem gets older, it loses its tubercles at the base, which are changed into brown wrinkles. The flowers are developed on the top of the stem, generally two or three together, egg-shaped and scaly when in bud, 2½ in. across when expanded; the petals white, tipped with brown; the stigma green, club-shaped. This curious little Cactus is one of about a dozen species found in the Chilian Andes. It was introduced in 1837 by the gentleman whose name it bears, and who, at that time, possessed a famous collection of Cacti. Like the rest of the Chilian kinds, it should be cultivated in a cool greenhouse in full sunshine, where it will produce its flowers in summer.
[E. mamillarioides] (Mamillaria-like); Bot. Mag. 3558.—This is another small, tubercled species, which, like the preceding, is a native of Chili. Its stem is very irregular in form, owing to the crowding of the tubercles, which look as if they were filled with water. The spines are small, in tufts of about half a dozen, set in a little cushion of yellowish wool. In size, the whole plant is like E. Mackieanus, but it blossoms more freely, as many as sixteen flowers having been borne at one time by a plant at Kew. These were short-tubed, the calyx clothed with green scales, and the petals 2 in. long, recurved at the apex, forming a beautiful cup-like flower of a bright yellow colour, with a band of red down the centre of each petal; the stamens and pistil yellow. The number of flowers developed on the small stem formed by this plant is quite extraordinary. It grows and flowers freely in an ordinary greenhouse, and would thrive in a sunny window if kept dry during the winter.
[E. mamillosus] (nipple-bearing).—A short, dumpy plant, with numerous tubercled ridges, bearing bunches of dark brown hair-like spines, which form a close network about the stem. The flowers are developed on the top of the stem, and are about 4 in. in diameter, with a thick tube; the petals are spreading, bright yellow in colour, and arranged in a regular, bell-like whorl. Inside this bell is a circle of purple filaments or stamens, forming a pretty contrast with the clear yellow of the petals. This is a recent introduction, which flowered in the Kew collection for the first time in June, 1886. It is one of the most beautiful of the large-flowered kinds, and, as it thrives in a warm greenhouse and is very free-flowering, it may be expected to become a favourite with Cactus growers. Owing to the lack of information respecting the conditions under which many of the Cactuses are found wild, and to the fact that little in the way of experimental culture has been done by growers of this family, cultivators are sometimes in the dark as regards the lowest temperature in which the rarer kinds can be safely grown. Many of the species of the present genus, for instance, were grown in stoves years ago but are now known to thrive in a cool greenhouse where frost alone is excluded.
[E. multiflorus] (many-flowered); Bot. Mag. 4181.—A well-named Cactus, as its small stem (seldom more than 5 in. high, and the same in width) often bears a large cap-like cluster of beautiful white flowers, except for a slight tinge of brown on the tips of the petals. Each flower is composed of a green, scaly tube, and several rows of reflexed petals, which form a shallow cup 2½ in. across. The stamens are tipped with orange-coloured anthers, and the stigma is rayed and snow-white. The stem is ridged with rows of fleshy mammae or tubercles, which are curiously humped, and each bears a cluster of spreading, brown spines, 1 in. long. The number of flowers this little plant annually produces seems more than could be possible without proving fatal to its health; but we have seen it blossom year after year, and in no way has its health appeared impaired. It may be grown on a shelf in a warm greenhouse, or in the window of a heated dwelling-room. Introduced, probably from Mexico, in 1845. This, like all the small, globular-stemmed kinds, may be grafted on the stem of a Cereus of suitable thickness. Some cultivators believe that grafting causes the plants to flower more freely, but we have not observed any difference in this respect between grafted and ungrafted plants.
[E. myriostigma.] (many-dotted); Fig. 40.—In the form of the stem of this species we have a good illustration of how widely a plant may differ from others of the same genus in certain of its characters, for the spines are almost totally suppressed, and the ridges are regular, deep, and smooth. There are usually five or six ridges, a transverse section of the stem revealing a form exactly like the common star-fish (Astrophyton), a resemblance to which the name Astrophytum, sometimes applied to this plant, owed its origin. The form of the stem is well represented in the Figure. The white dots shown on the bark, and which look like scales, are composed of very fine interwoven hairs, which, under a microscope, are very pretty objects. This species was introduced from Mexico along with the large plant of E. Visnaga described at the beginning of this chapter, and was first flowered at Kew, in July, 1845. Stems 1 ft. in length were received, along with shorter ones; but only the small ones were established. The flowers are daisy-like, 1½ in. across, and are straw-coloured, the petals being tipped with black. It thrives under warm greenhouse treatment. When without its flowers, it looks more like a piece of chiselled stone than a living plant.
FIG. 40.—ECHINOCACTUS MYRIOSTIGMA
[E. obvallatus] (fortified); Fig. 41.—The form of stem in this species is shown in the Figure. It grows very slowly plants 4 in. through taking about ten years to reach that size from seeds. The spines are stout, all deflexed, and arranged along the edges of the numerous ribs into which the stem is divided. The flowers are developed from the centre of the plant, and are surrounded by the erect spines, which crown the, as yet, undeveloped tubercles. Two or three flowers are produced at about the same time, each one being composed of a short, spiny tube, and a whorl of erect petals, which are pointed, purple-coloured, paler at the margin, the stamens being yellow. Native of Mexico. It requires a stove temperature, and flowers in summer.
FIG. 41.—ECHINOCACTUS OBVALLATUS
[E. Ottonis] (Otto's); Bot. Mag. 3107.—A dwarf kind, with a balloon-shaped stem, rarely exceeding 4 in. in height, and divided into a dozen wide ridges with sharp, regular edges, along which are clusters of small, brown spines, set in little tufts of wool, and looking like an array of spiders. The flowers are borne on the tops of the ridges, and are pale yellow in colour, with a band of red hair-like spines surrounding the calyx just below the petals, which are narrow, spreading, and look not unlike the flowers of the yellow Marguerite; the stigma is bright red. The symmetrical form of the stem, with its rows of spider-like spines, renders this plant attractive, even when without its bright and pretty flowers. It thrives only in a warm stove. Introduced from Brazil in 1831, flowering in the month of July. As it produces young plants about its base, it may be easily propagated by removing them and planting them in soil; or they may be grafted as advised for other of the small, globose-stemmed kinds.
[E. pectiniferus] (comb-bearing); Bot. Mag. 4190.—One of the most striking of the plants of this genus, owing to the character of its stem, and the large size and beauty of its flowers. The former resembles a pear with the thin end downwards; its height is from 4 in. to 6 in., and it has about twenty ridges, which are sharply defined and bear along their angles little cushions of white wool ½ in. apart, with a radiating cluster of brown spines springing from each. The arrangement of the spines in rows is not unlike the teeth of a comb. The flowers are borne near the top of the stem, and consist of a green, fleshy tube, clothed with spines and little tufts of white wool; the sepals form a row beneath the petals, and are yellowish, tinged with purple; petals 2 in. long, broad, with the upper margins toothed and the tip acute, their colour being bright rose, tinged with greenish-white at the base; stamens yellow; stigma large, green. The form of the flowers is that of a cup, nearly 3 in. across. Introduced from Mexico in 1845. Flowering season, April and May. It requires warm-house treatment.
[E. polycephalus] (many-headed); Fig. 42.—Stem globose when young, becoming cylindrical with age; number of ribs varying from twelve to twenty, sharply defined, and bearing, at intervals of 1 in., clusters of stout, reddish spines, somewhat flattened on the upper side, and marked with raised rings, or, as it is termed, annulated, the central ones attaining a length of over 3 in. on old plants, and sometimes curved. The flowers are enveloped at the base in a dense mass of white wool, which hides the tube, its spines only showing through; petals narrow, 1 in. long, spreading like a saucer, and coloured bright yellow; stamens numerous, yellow, as also is the large rayed stigma. California and Colorado, on stony and gravelly hills. Flowers in spring; introduced to Kew in 1886. This new plant is remarkable in that it is often found wild with as many as twenty to thirty stems or heads springing from the same base, and even young plants show early a disposition to develop several heads. The largest stems are from 1½ ft. to 2½ ft. high, and have a somewhat forbidding appearance, owing to the size and strength of their numerous spines. For its cultivation, a warm-house temperature appears most suitable; it bears a close resemblance to E. texensis.
FIG. 42.—RIDGE, WITH SPINES, OF ECHINOCACTUS POLYCEPHALUS
[E. Pottsii] (Potts').—The stem of this is shown in Fig. 43. Full-sized plants are 1½ ft. in diameter, and have about a dozen ridges with acute sinuses, the ridges being rounded and even. The spines are 1 in. long, bristle-like, and are arranged in clusters of seven or nine, with a cushion of white wool at the base of each cluster. Flowers short-tubed, about 2 in. across, and coloured yellow; they are produced on the top of the stem in summer, several expanding together. The plant is a native of California, and was introduced about 1840. Under cultivation this species proves to be a shy-flowering Cactus, although in a warm house it grows freely, and remains in good health. It is well adapted for grafting on to the stem of some kind of Cereus, and in this way may be made to look very singular, as was shown in Mr. Peacock's collection of succulents some years ago, when a fine specimen, over 1 ft. across, was successfully grafted on to three stems of C. tortuosus, and had much the appearance of a melon elevated on a short tripod.
FIG. 43.—ECHINOCACTUS POTTSII
[E. rhodophthalmus] (red-eyed); Bot. Mag. 4486, 4634.—Stem cone-shaped, 4 in. to 1 ft. high, deeply furrowed; ridges about nine, 1 in. high, the angles bearing closely-set clusters of radiating spines, with a projecting one in the middle of each cluster, which contains nine spines 1 in. long, purple when young, becoming white when old. The flowers are produced from the summit of the stem, and have a thick, green, scaly calyx tube, upon which the spreading, rose-coloured petals are arranged in a regular series, and form a shallow bell nearly 3 in. across. The throat of the flower is coloured a deep crimson, against which the little sheaf of white stamens and the star-shaped yellow stigma form a pretty contrast. Three or more flowers are expanded together on a plant. It is a native of Mexico; introduced in 1845. It thrives in a house or frame where it is protected from frost, and during summer gets plenty of sunlight and air. It flowers in August. During the months of April and May, when it starts into growth, it should be kept close; but by the end of June, it should be exposed to the open air and allowed to ripen, so that its flowers may be produced in the autumn. The plant called E. v. ellipticus does not differ from the type, owing its name to the form of the stem of the first plant that flowered at Kew.
[E. scopa.] (brush-like); Fig. 44.—The stem of this species, when seen covered with numerous tufts of bristly spines, has been compared to a brush, a comparison not, however, applicable to the form represented in the Figure. In height the stems sometimes reach l½ ft., with from thirty to forty ribs, bearing little discs of white wool at the bases of the clusters of spines. The flowers spring from the upper part of the stem (the nodules shown in the illustration represent the places where flowers have been developed at an earlier stage of growth), from four to six being borne in the same season; they are 1½ in. long and wide, the tube short and brown, bristly; the petals are arranged in several overlapping series, rather wide for their length, toothed at the ends; their colour is a bright sulphur-yellow, as also are the stamens, whilst the stigma, which is rayed, is bright crimson. Native of Brazil. Introduced about 1840; it is more like a Cereus, in the form of its stem, than an Echinocactus. It flowers in June, and requires stove treatment. The stems, when dried carefully and stuffed with wadding, form pretty ornaments.
FIG. 44.—ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA
[E. scopa cristata]. (crested variety); Fig. 45.—This curious monstrosity owes its origin to fasciation similar to what occurs in the Celosias or Cockscombs, in some Echeverias, &c. These monster varieties of Cactuses do not flower, but they are nevertheless interesting, and worth growing on account of their curious shapes. The plant shown in Fig. 45 is grafted on the stem of a Cereus, and it is remarkable that a portion of the crest of the Echinocactus will, if grafted on to another plant, develop the abnormal form of its parent, proving that the variation, whatever its cause, has become fixed.
FIG. 45.—ECHINOCACTUS SCOPA CRISTATA
[E. Simpsoni] (Simpson's).—One of the smallest plants in the genus, and one of the prettiest. It produces tufts of irregularly-formed stems about 4 in. high, and composed of numerous rounded tubercles over ½ in. wide, bearing on the top of each a tuft of about twelve spines ½ in. long. The flowers are borne from the apex of the young tubercles, and are 1 in. wide and long, cup-shaped; petals pale purple, the stamens yellow. Native of Mexico and Colorado, where it is found at elevations of 8000 ft. to 10,000 ft., in great abundance, forming large patches on gravelly morains, where the climate during the summer is dry, whilst in winter a thick covering of snow protects the plants from severe frosts. In England, this species is said to have withstood 32 degs. of frost without being injured. It has been grown out of doors in a garden at Northampton, where it passed several winters planted in a raised border at the foot of a south wall with a natural coping of ivy. In New York, where the frosts of winter are severer than in England, it is cultivated out of doors. In this country it is apt to be injured by excessive moisture and fogs; but by protecting it with a handlight from November to March or April, this is overcome. If grown in pots, it should be kept in a position where it can enjoy all the sunlight possible.
[E. sinuatus] (undulated).—Stem about 8 in. wide and long; globose, bearing fourteen to sixteen ridges, the edges of which are wavy or undulated, the prominent points crowned with tufts of thin, flexuous, yellow spines, the longest 1½ in., and hooked, the shorter ¾ in., and straight. The stem of E. longihamatus is very similar to this. Flowers developed on the top of the stem; tube short, scaly, green; petals yellow, spreading, and forming a cup 3 in. across, which is greenish outside. A native of Mexico, where it flowers in April. A recently-introduced kind, not yet flowered in this country. It is described as being a distinct, large-flowered, handsome species.
[E. tenuispinus] (thin-spined); Bot. Mag. 3963.—Stem globular, depressed, with ridges and spines similar to those of E. Ottonis; indeed, by some these two are considered forms of the same species. In the number and size of the flowers, their colour and form, and the time of flowering, there is no difference between them. Native of Mexico (and Brazil ?).
[E. texensis] (Texan); Fig. 46.—A short-stemmed plant, with a thick, leathery skin and broad-based ridges of irregular form, crowned with tufts of stout horny spines, the central one much the longest, flattened at the base, and strong as steel. The flowers are produced near the centre of the top, from the tufts of whitish wool which accompany the spines on the young parts of the ridges. They are 2½ in. long and wide; the tube short and woolly; the petals spreading, beautifully fringed, and rose-coloured. Native of North-east Mexico, where it grows on stony hillsides in full exposure to sunshine, and where, during winter, it has to endure weather verging on to frost. It thrives in a greenhouse under cultivation. Like several of the stout-spined, robust-stemmed kinds, this may find favour as a garden plant because of the character of its stem, and the extraordinary strength of its large iron-like spines.
FIG. 46.—ECHINOCACTUS TEXENSIS
[E. turbiniformis] (top-shaped).—A very distinct dwarf kind, with globular stems 2 in. high and about 3 in. wide, clothed with spirally-arranged rows or ridges of tubercles, similar to those shown in the figure of E. hexaedrophorus, except that, in the former, there are no spines on the mature tubercles, although, when young, they have each a little cluster of fine spines. The flowers expand in June, several together, from the top of the stem; they are round, 1 in. across, the petals being numerous, pale yellow in colour, tinged with red on the outside. Introduced from Mexico, 1840. This curious little plant requires stove treatment, and thrives when grafted on the stem of some other kind. It is sometimes known as Mamillaria turbinata.
[E. uncinatus] (hooked); Fig. 47.—A small species, with oval stems when young, older plants becoming cylindrical, as shown in the accompanying Figure. The height of the largest plant does not exceed 6 in., so that, when wild, it is often hidden by the long grass in which it is frequently found on stony hillsides at high elevations, in Mexico. The ridges are broken up into large tubercles, upon each of which is a tuft of short straight spines, arranged in a circle, and a long hooked one springing from the centre, and often attaining a length of about 4 in. In old plants the spines are almost white, whilst in young ones they are purplish. The flowers are borne in a cluster on the apex of the stem, and are nearly 2 in. long, the tube being short and spiny, and the petals numerous, arranged in a cup, their colour dark purplish-red, the tips pointed; the stamens are yellow, with orange tips. The flowers expand only when the sun shines on them, closing up again in dull light, but opening again, and remaining fresh for about a week. Introduced in 1850. Flowers in March and April. This plant may be grown in a cool, sunny greenhouse, or window, requiring only protection from frost in winter, and in summer plenty of light, with a moderate amount of water. There are several varieties of it described, their differences being chiefly in the shape of the stem.
FIG. 47.—ECHINOCACTUS UNCINATUS
[E. viridescens] (greenish).—Stem 1 ft. high and 9 in. across, young plants being broader than high; the sides split up into about twenty ridges, which are again divided into knotty tubercles or waves. The spines are remarkable for their size and strength, those on large plants being 4 in. long by ½ in. broad at the base, gradually narrowing to a stiff point; there are four central spines of this size, the others, of which there are about a dozen, being shorter and thinner, and arranged stellately. The flowers, which are rarely produced, are poor in comparison with the majority of the flowers of this genus. As the name denotes, their colour is yellowish-green; and they are about 1½ in. wide and high. There are often as many as a dozen flowers expanded together on a stem of this plant when wild, and they are arranged in a circle around the growing point. The interest in this species, however, centres in its spines rather than its flowers. It is a native of the dry hills of California, extending sometimes down to the sea-beach. There is a plant of it at Kew 6 in. high and about fifteen years old; it has not been known to flower there. Mr. Peacock also possesses a large plant of it.
[E. Visnaga.] (visnaga means a toothpick among the Mexican settlers); Fig. 48.—Of the most remarkable features of this truly wonderful Cactus we have already spoken earlier in this Chapter. In 1846, Sir W. J. Hooker described, in the Illustrated London News, a large plant of it, which had been successfully introduced alive to Kew, and which, a year or so later, flowered, and was figured in the Botantical Magazine (4559). Its height was 9 ft., and it measured 9½ ft. in circumference; its weight a ton. Afterwards, it exhibited symptoms of internal injury. The inside became a putrid mass, and the crust, or shell, fell in by its own weight. The shape of the stem is elliptical, with numerous ridges and stout brown spines arranged in tufts along their edges. The flowers are freely produced from the woolly apex; the tube is scaly and brown, and the petals are arranged like a saucer about the cluster of orange-coloured stamens. The colour of the petals is bright yellow, and the width of the flower is nearly 3 in. This plant is a native of Mexico, and is usually cultivated in a tropical temperature, but it would probably thrive in a warm greenhouse. It flowers in summer. As we have stated, large specimens do not live long in this country; and as the flowers are only borne by such, the plant, except only for its stems, is not to be recommended for ordinary collections.
FIG. 48.—ECHINOCACTUS VISNAGA
[E. Williamsii] (Williams's); Bot. Mag. 4296.—A very distinct dwarf species, often called the "Dumpling Cactus," from the puffed-out, tumid appearance of its stems, which frequently branch at the base, so as to form a tuft of several heads; these are turbinate, 3 in. or 4 in. high, and 2 in. across the top, where the smooth, pale green flesh is divided into about half-a-dozen rounded tubercles, pressed closely together, and suggesting a number of small green potatoes joined by their bases. Each tubercle bears several tufts of short hairs. The flowers proceed from the young tubercles near the centre of the crown, their bases being enveloped in pale brown wool, the petals spreading out daisy-like to the width of 1 in., with a short disk of stamens in the middle; they are white, tinged with rose, and are developed in the summer months. Native of the rocky hills of Mexico, whence it was introduced in 1845. The stems of this plant are its most distinctive feature. It thrives on a shelf in a warm greenhouse, if kept perfectly dry in winter, and it should be potted in a compost consisting of broken brick two-thirds, loam one-third.
[E. Wislizeni] (Wislizen's); Fig. 49.—A large-stemmed kind, second only in size to E. Visnaga. Young plants have depressed stems, those in older specimens being cylinder-shaped. A specimen at Kew is 8 in. high by 18 in. in diameter, with twenty-one ridges, which are regular and sharp-edged, and bear bunches of spines at regular intervals, the outer and shorter ones being spreading and white, whilst from the middle of each tuft arise four longer and stouter spines, three of them 2 in. long, and one 3 in., with the point hooked, and as strong as if made of steel. The flowers, which are developed only on large plants, are greenish-yellow, about 2 in. long and wide, and expand during summer and autumn. The juice of the stems is said to serve as a substitute for water when the latter is scarce, and instances have been known among the white trappers where the lives of men have been saved by this plant. A novel use the stems are put to by the Indians is that of boilers, a purpose which they are said to answer well. The fleshy inside is scooped out, and the tough skin, with its iron-like spine protection, is then filled with vegetables and water and placed on the fire. As there is a plentiful supply of plants, the Indians do not trouble to carry this "boiler" about with them, but make a fresh one at every stage of their journeyings.
FIG. 49.—SPINES AND FLOWERS OF ECHINOCACTUS WISLIZENII