Echinopsis ancistrophora

Current name and label name

The POWO treatment adopted here regards Echinopsis subdenudata Cárdenas as a synonym of Echinopsis ancistrophora Speg. The name E. subdenudata remains an important reference to the original description and plants identified this way in collections. The account below presents the material originally described as E. subdenudata. [2-WWW]

Morphology according to Cárdenas's description

Cárdenas described a globular, grey-green stem 5–8 cm tall and 7–12 cm in diameter, with 10–12 sharp ribs. The areoles are covered with cream-coloured felt. The 3–5 radial spines measure about 1,5 mm, and the single central spine about 2 mm. On young areoles, the spines are largely hidden in the hairs. [Cárdenas 1956]

Flowers in the protologue are 17–20 cm long. The white corolla develops on a long, slightly curved tube covered with scales and hairs. Hairy buds arise near the apex. The reported 17–20 cm value is the length of the entire flower. [Cárdenas 1956]

Provenance of material described as subdenudata

Material for the original description was collected in March 1952 at Angosto de Villa Montes, in Bolivia’s Tarija department, at about 600 m above sea level. Cárdenas gave the collection number 5056. This documented site refers to the name E. subdenudata. [Cárdenas 1956]

Cultivation and propagation

For E. ancistrophora, RHS recommends a very freely draining substrate, bright, filtered light and moderate watering during growth. From mid-autumn to early spring, keep the substrate dry. For a cool greenhouse protected from frost, it gives a minimum temperature range of 2–7°C. This is guidance for cultivation under shelter. [1-WWW]

Offsets can be separated and rooted during the growing season. RHS also identifies mealybugs as pests encountered in cultivation of this taxon. [1-WWW]