[C. polyacanthus] (many-spined).—A newly-introduced species, from El Paso, in Mexico, where it is common on the sand ridges and stony hills. Stem 10 in. high, 2 in. to 4 in. wide, pale green or glaucous, with about eight ridges, the spines being placed along the angles in clusters of half a dozen or so, and about ½ in. apart. The flowers are 2 in. to 3 in. long; the tube spiny; the petals semi-erect and concave, rounded at the tip, and forming a shallow cup or wine-glass-like flower; the colour of the petals is deep blood-red. This beautiful Cactus is exceptional in the length of time its flowers remain expanded and fresh, lasting a week or more; and as the plant is very free flowering, there is usually a beautiful display of rich red blossoms for about six weeks. It may be grown in a cool greenhouse or window, requiring no artificial heat beyond what would be necessary to insure its protection from frost. It flowers in spring.
[C. procumbens] (trailing); Fig. 27.—This is a very pretty little Cactus, with spreading prostrate stems, from which upright branches grow to a height of 3 in. or 4 in.; they are ½ in. thick, generally only four-angled or square, with small spines in tufts along the angles. The flowers are developed on the ends of the branches, and are 3 in. long and wide, the sepals spreading and recurved, as in a Paris daisy, their colour being bright rose purple. The anthers form a corona-like ring, inclosing the upright, rayed stigma. A native of Mexico; flowers in May and June. In its native haunts we learn that this little Cactus is very free-flowering, but under cultivation in this country it flowers only rarely. It thrives best when grown in a dry, sunny greenhouse, and kept perfectly dry during autumn and winter. If allowed to get wet in that season, it is apt to rot, the stems being soft and watery.
FIG. 27.—CEREUS PROCUMBENS
[C. reductus] (dingy); Bot. Mag. 4443.—Stem erect, sometimes 3 ft. high, and about 4 in. wide, deeply furrowed, the furrows usually numbering about fourteen; the ridges tumid and irregular, and coloured a dingy glaucous-green. Spines embedded in a tuft of grey wool, about a dozen spines in each cluster, 1 in. long, a few of them only half that length. Flowers on the top of the stem, three or four opening together, each being 3 in. long and wide; the tube short and scaly, with overlapping sepals and saw-edged petals, which are white, slightly tinged with rose. Stamens filling the whole of the flower-cup, bright yellow. A native of Mexico, introduced in 1796, flowering in summer. This species was evidently a favourite many years ago, but it is rare with us now. It thrives in a house where the winter temperature does not fall below 45 deg., requiring no water at that time, but a liberal supply in the summer when growth is being made, and all the sunlight possible. When without its star-shaped, handsome flowers, the stem is remarkably ferocious-looking, the spines upon it being quite as thick and as strong as on a hedgehog.
[C. repandus] (undulated); Fig. 28.—Stem erect, 10 ft. or more high, unbranched, unless compelled to do so by the removal of the top. Ribs eight or nine in number, rounded, somewhat undulated, and bearing spine-tufts nearly 1 in. apart; each tuft contains about ten spines, which are almost equal in length, fine, stiff, brown, and persistent; there is a little cushion of white wool about the base of the spines. Flowers produced on the side, within a few inches of the top of the stem; they are composed of a scaly tube, 4 in. long, a circular row of spreading, incurved, pale brown sepals, and two rows of broad, overlapping, snow-white petals; stamens white, with yellow anthers; stigma yellow. The flowers, developed in summer, are very beautiful, but, unfortunately, each lasts only a few hours. A native of the West Indies, and an old introduction to English gardens (1720), but rare in cultivation now. It requires the treatment of a stove all the year round.
FIG. 28.—CEREUS REPANDUS
[C. Royeni] (Royen's); Bot. Mag. 3125.—This plant is not one of the handsomest as regards flowers; but its stems are ornamental, and the form of the flowers is such as would please those who admire the curious. The stem is erect, several feet high, 2 in. in diameter, with about ten acute ridges, along which are little tufts of white wool about the base of the clustering spines, which are dark brown and 1 in. long. The flower-tube is 2 in. long, thick, spineless, scaly, the scales becoming large near the top of the flower, where they form a cup-like whorl, enclosing the small rose-coloured petals, the stamens being white. Introduced from New Grenada, in 1832. It flowers in spring and summer. It should be grown in a stove.
[C. variabilis] (variable); Bot. Mag. 4084, under the name of C. pitajaya.—A tall-growing plant, rather straggling in habit, branching freely, the stems usually four-winged, but sometimes with three, five, or more, constricted at intervals, as in Phyllocactus, the wings spiny along the edges; spines 1 in. long. Flowers on the sides of the stems, rather low down, long-tubed; large, showy; tube 6 in. long, smooth, fleshy, with a few scales near the top, and a whorl of greenish, strap-shaped, pointed sepals, the petals spreading, with toothed margins and a long acute point, white or cream-coloured; anthers yellow. A native of various parts of South America and the West Indies, but always close to the sea. It flowers in July; the flowers, which open generally in the evening, remain expanded all night, and close before noon the day following. This species requires tropical or warm house treatment. There are some old plants of it in the Kew collection, where it flowers annually. Except for large houses, this species is not recommended for general cultivation, as it blossoms only after attaining a good size, and the stems, when old, are not at all ornamental.