ECHINOPSIS RHODOTRICHA SEEDS - EXOTIC SUCCULENT CACTUS - IN SOUTH AFRICA

Echinopsis which is placed in the Cactaceae family, is a large genus of 128 species of cacti which grow naturally in the South American countries of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. They grow in sandy or gravel soils on hillsides and in rocky crevices. They range in size from large tree like species, to small species such as Echinopsis chamaecereus, the peanut cactus. They have large, showy flowers which seldom last longer than a day; however they are such prolific bloomers that they can be covered with flowers for days on end. Echinopsis is distinguished from other genera by the length of the flower tube, the form and size of their stems, and from where the flowers occur on the stem.           Some common names include hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus and Easter lily cactus. Due to the large number or species, and large number of variations, it has made classifications in this genus very difficult. This has resulted in a large number of synonyms for Echinopsis, most of which used to be considered separate genera, but are now included in the genus Echinopsis. All these synonyms are still widely used by collectors and enthusiasts and there is much debate and controversy as to the correct classification. The name comes from the Greek word echinos meaning 'spiny', 'hedgehog' or 'sea urchin', and opsis meaning 'likeness' or looks like. Echinopsis can be grown as pot plants and make interesting features on a sunny veranda. They also make an attractive addition to a rockery or water-wise garden. Echinopsis rhodotricha is a species of cacti that is native to the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraguay and north eastern Argentina. The name rhodotricha comes from the Greek words rhodos meaning 'rose' and trichos meaning 'hair', referring to the hairs on the flower's tube. There are many synonyms including Echinocactus forbesii, Echinocactus adolphofriedrichii, Echinopsis forbesii, Echinopsis pentlandii var. forbesii, Echinopsis spegazzinii, Echinopsis validates and Echinopsis validates var. forbesii. They have a group or clump forming growth habit, with each stem reaching a diameter of up to 30 cm and a height of 30 to 80 cm. There are between 8 to 18 wavy ribs with areoles spaced between 1.5 to 2.5 cm apart. The spines are yellowish brown, with one central spine (sometimes absent) bent upwards up to 5cm long. They bare white funnel-shaped flowers, up to 15 cm long, which open at night and last less than a day.