Chapter 9 No.9

THE GENUS ECHINOPSIS.

(From echinos, a hedgehog, and opsis, like.)

O less than three sections of Cactuses, viz., the above, Echinocactus, and Echinocereus, owe their names to their hedgehog-like stems. From a horticultural point of view, there is perhaps no good reason for keeping the above three genera and Cereus separate; but we follow Kew in the arrangement adopted here. The genus Echinopsis, as now recognised by most English botanists and cultivators, comprises about thirty species, most of which have been, or are still, in cultivation. They are distinguished from Echinocactuses by the length of their flower tube, from Cereuses by the form and size of their stems, and from both in the position on the stem occupied by the flowers. They are remarkable for the great size, length of tube, and beauty of their flowers, which, borne upon generally small and dumpy stems, appear very much larger and handsomer than would be expected.

The distribution of Echinopsis is similar to that of Echinocactus, species being found in Chili, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, &c. They grow only in situations where the soil is sandy or gravelly, or on the sides of hills in the crevices of rocks.

Cultivation.-The growing and resting seasons for Echinopsis are the same as for Echinocactus, and we may therefore refer to what is said under that genus for general hints with regard to the cultivation of Echinopsis in this country. The following is from the notes of the late Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew (Mr. J. Smith), as being worthy the attention of Cactus growers. Writing about Echinopsis cristata, which he grew and flowered exceptionally well, he says: "This showy plant is a native of Chili, and, like its Mexican allies, thrives if potted in light loam, with a little leaf mould and a few nodules of lime rubbish. The latter are for the purpose of keeping the soil open; it is also necessary that the soil should be well drained. In winter, water must be given very sparingly, and the atmosphere of the house should be dry; the temperature need not exceed 50 degs. during the night, and in very cold weather it may be allowed to fall 10 degs. lower, provided a higher temperature (55 degs.) be maintained during the day. As the season advances, the plants should receive the full influence of the increasing warmth of the sun; and during hot weather, they will be benefited by frequent syringing overhead, which should be done in the evening. It is, however, necessary to guard against the soil becoming saturated, for the soft fibrous roots suffer if they continue in a wet state for any length of time."

None of the species require to be grafted to grow freely and remain healthy, as the stems are all robust enough and of sufficient size to take care of themselves. The only danger is in keeping the plants too moist in winter, for although a little water now and again keeps the stems fresh and green, it deprives them of that rest which is essential to the development of their large, beautiful flowers in summer.

SPECIES.

E. campylacantha. (curved-spined); Bot. Mag. 4567.-Stem 1 ft. or l? 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 2? 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.

FIG. 51.-ECHINOPSIS EYRIESII FLORE-PLENO

E. E. glauca (hoary-grey). This variety differs from the type in the absence of the dark brown hairs from the flower-tube, which is also shorter than in E. Eyriesii. Probably a native of Mexico.

E. oxygonus (sharp-angled).-This is very similar to E. Eyriesii. Stem globular in shape, and divided into about fourteen acute-edged ridges, upon which are tufts of brown spines, varying from ? in. to 1? in. in length. Flower 8 in. long, the tube slightly curved, covered with little scales and hairs, and coloured green and red. The petals form an incurved cup, and are broad, with pointed tips; their colour a bright rose, with a lighter shade towards the centre of the flower. As in E. Eyriesii, the flowers of this kind are borne several together from the ridges near the growing centre of the stem. It is a native of Brazil, whence it was introduced nearly half a century ago. It thrives in an intermediate house, if treated as advised for E. Eyriesii, and its flowers will develop in summer. The extraordinary size and beauty of the blossoms are sufficient to compensate for their comparatively short duration after expanding; it is also interesting to watch the gradual development of the tiny, hairy cone, which is the first sign of the flower, and which increases in length and size at a surprising rate.

E. Pentlandi (Pentland's); Fig. 52.-A pretty little species, with a globose stem 3 in. in diameter, divided into about a dozen rounded ridges, which are undulated or broken up into irregular tubercles, when the ridges do not run parallel with each other. Each tubercle is crowned with a tuft of brown, bristle-like spines, ? in. or so long. The flowers are large in proportion to the size of the plant, the tube being 4 in. long, and trumpet-shaped; petals arranged in several overlapping rows and forming a cup 2 in. across, the lowest whorl turning downwards; in colour, they are a brilliant red, the stamens white, and the stigmas yellow. Three or four flowers are often expanded together on the same stem, springing from the side instead of the top of the plant. Native of Mexico (?); introduced about 1840. There are several distinct seedling or hybrid forms of this species, remarkable in having the colour of their flowers either red, yellow and white, or white, whilst some, such as the one known as flammea, have flowers only 2 in. long. These kinds may all be grown in a sunny greenhouse or window, as they only require protection from frost. They may be placed out of doors in summer, and be kept under glass only during winter, treatment which will result in better growth and more flowers than if the plants were kept permanently under glass.

FIG. 52.-ECHINOPSIS PENTLANDI

E. P. longispinus (long-spined); Fig. 53.-This is a long-spined form, and differs also in the shape of the stem, which is oblong, rather than globose.

FIG. 53.-ECHINOPSIS PENTLANDI LONGISPINUS

E. tubiflorus (tube-flowered).-This species has an orange-shaped stem, about 4 in. high, and divided into about twelve prominent, sharp-angled ridges, along which are tufts of blackish spines, ? in. long, and set in little cushions of white wool. The flower springs from the side of the stems, where it replaces a tuft of spines, and, as in E. Eyriesii, the tube is remarkably long, whilst the size of the whole flower much exceeds that of the rest of the plant, the length of the tube being about 6 in., and the width of the flower over 4 in. The petals are pure white, recurved, displaying the crown of yellow stamens, arranged in a ring about the rather small, rayed stigma. The tube is uniformly green, except that the scale-like bracts are edged with long, blackish, silky hairs. A native of Mexico; introduced about fifty years ago, when it was figured in the Botanical Magazine and elsewhere as a species of Echinocactus. E. tubiflorus may be placed along with E. Eyriesii and E. oxygonus, as it requires similar treatment. The three kinds here mentioned may be recommended as a trio of very fine-flowered, small-stemmed Cacti, which may be grown successfully in any ordinary greenhouse.

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