SPECIES.
[E. campylacantha]. (curved-spined); Bot. Mag. 4567.—Stem 1 ft. or l½ ft. high, globe-shaped, with a somewhat pointed top, the sides divided into from fourteen to sixteen ridges, with tubercled edges, bearing clusters of about ten strong brown spines, which are stellately arranged, a central one projecting outwards, then suddenly curving upwards, and measuring 3 in. in length. The flowers are developed from the ridges on the side of the stem; they are 6 in. long, the tube shaped like a trumpet, brownish in colour, and clothed with tufts of short black hairs; petals arranged in three rows, spreading so as to form a limb 2½ in. across, pale rose-coloured, with a large cluster of yellow-tipped stamens, forming a disk-like centre. This species is a native of Chili, and was introduced in 1831. It blossoms in spring and summer. The long curving central spine and remarkable length of the flower-tube distinguish it from the other kinds. It may be grown in a cool greenhouse, where it will thrive, if kept freely watered during summer and rested on a dry, sunny shelf in winter. It is rare in English collections, but frequently occurs in Continental gardens.
[E. cristata] (crested); Bot. Mag. 4687.—Stem globe-shaped, 1 ft. high, slightly narrowed towards the top; ridges fifteen, 1 in. deep, sharply angular, the edges bearing tufts of spreading, yellowish spines, over 1 in. long, slightly curved, and tipped with red. Flowers creamy-white, springing from the ridges on the top of the stem; tube 4 in. long, clothed with tufts of black hairs, and surmounted by a whorl of reddish-yellow sepals, above which are two rows of broad-spreading petals. The width of the flower is over 6 in., and the stamens are arranged in a corona-like whorl inside the petals. This very fine Cactus is a native of Bolivia, whence it was introduced in 1850. When in flower, the broad, long-tubed, pale-coloured blossoms equal in beauty those of the Night-flowering Cereus. It blossoms in July. It thrives if kept in a warm, sunny greenhouse, but must be liberally treated in summer, so as to induce vigorous growth, and then be subjected to complete rest in winter in full sunlight, or it will not flower.
[E. c. purpurea] (purple ).—This variety differs from the type in having deep rose-coloured flowers and a slightly longer tube. It is impossible to find among all the species of the Cereus section a more beautiful plant than this; the size of the flowers, their rich colour, their developing three or four together in the month of July, being almost exceptional, even among Cactuses. A splendid example of it was flowered at Kew in 1846 for the first time. It thrives under the conditions recommended for E. cristata. This variety is often made very sickly by treating it as a tropical Cactus, and, like most of these plants, if once it gets into a bad condition, it remains so a long time, in spite of liberal and careful treatment. So many of the Cactuses found in cool regions are ruined by an excess of heat in winter, and a close atmosphere during their season of growth, that too much attention cannot be given to the question of temperature in relation to their cultivation in English gardens.
[E. Decaisneanus] (Decaisne's).—As represented in Fig. 50, this plant appears to have a columnar stem, but this is owing to the specimen having been formed by cutting off the upper portion of an old plant and striking it. Naturally, the stem in this species is globular or slightly egg-shaped, and bears about fourteen ridges, upon which are tufts of short spines, springing from little cushions of whitish wool. The position of the flowers is shown in the figure. The tube is covered with tufts of hair-like spines, and the petals and sepals are broad, spreading, and white, tinged with yellow, as in E. cristata. The native country of this plant is not known; but it is a well-known garden Cactus, and thrives in a warm, airy greenhouse in summer, and on a dry, sunny shelf in winter. The swollen base of the tube is a good example of the nature of what is usually termed the flower-stalk in these plants. It is, as has been pointed out, the elongated calyx, and the swollen portion is the ovary or seed vessel. If, therefore, seeds are desired, the withering flowers should be allowed to remain, and, in time, the upper portion of the tube will fall away, leaving the base, which continues to grow till it attains the proportions of a hen's egg.
FIG. 50.—ECHINOPSIS DECAISNEANUS
[E. Eyriesii] (Eyries').—Stem no larger than an orange, with about a dozen ridges, the edges sharp, and bearing little globular tufts of whitish wool and red, hair-like spines. Flower exceedingly large for the size of the stem, the tube being more than 6 in. long, funnel-shaped, pale green, with tufts of brown hairs, which look very much like insects, scattered over the surface. The petals are numerous, narrow-pointed, spreading, pure white, the stamens pale yellow, and the star-like stigma white. This species is a native of Mexico, and was introduced by the late Sir John Lubbock, about 1830. It blossoms at various seasons, generally in summer. "Independently of the large size of the flowers, which rival in dimensions those of the Cereuses, it is remarkable for the rich, delicate odour they exhale at night, at which time its glorious blossoms expand. When young, they resemble long, sooty-grey horns, covered over with a thick, shaggy hairiness, and would never be suspected to conceal a form of the utmost beauty and a clear and delicate complexion. When the hour of perfection has arrived, and the coarse veil of hair begins to be withdrawn by the expansion of the unfolding petals, one is amazed at the unexpected loveliness which stands revealed in the form of this vegetable star, whose rays are of the softest white" (Lindley). For its cultivation, this plant requires a warm house always; but care should be taken to give it plenty of fresh air and as much light as possible. The soil best suited for it is a rich loam with a little sand and charcoal. It likes liberal watering in summer.
[E. E. flore-pleno] (double-flowered); Fig. 51.—A form with several rows of petals, which give the flowers a doubled appearance.
