THE GENUS ECHINOPSIS.
(From echinos, a hedgehog, and opsis, like.)
No 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 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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 ½ in. to 1½ 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, ½ 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.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: 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, ½ 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.