[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.