ECHINOCEREUS REICHENBACHII VAR FITCHII

ECHINOCEREUS REICHENBACHII VAR FITCHII :This is  subspecies of the very variable Echinocereus reichenbachii. It distinguishes for the brown central spines, much longer than white radials and for its flowers which are among the largest in the species, and their exact colour pattern may prove taxonomically significant. It blooms quite readily making this species a very beautiful one at flowering time, which is usually May to June.These plants  usually single, sometimes 1-2 side branches when very old.This plant is short-cylindric or somewhat narrowed above, about 4 to 5 cm thick attaining occasionally a height of 15 cm, but usually not more than 5-10 cm tall, medium to dark green.This plant has  10-14  ribs composed of low, rounded confluent tubercles.This plant round when young, becoming more oval on mature specimens, 4 to 6 mm apart, small.Flowers of this plant are 1-3, 6-7 or more cm long and wide, diurnal, large and showy, slightly scented, pink-purple with dark burgundy centre. This plant blooms in may to late june.seeds are back colour