ECHINOPSIS TERSCHECKII - 20 SEED PACK - CACTUS SUCCULENT - 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.            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 classification of species 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 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 terscheckii, commonly known as the Cardon Grande Cactus or Argentine Saguaro, is a large cactus native to South America and popular in cultivation. It is a columnar, branching cactus that can grow over 7.6 metres tall. Its branches are about 25 cm in diameter with 8 to 14 ribs. It has large brownish areoles about 2.5 cm apart with 8 to 15 yellowish spines, 8.3–10 cm long. The nocturnal white flowers can grow up to 20 cm long and 13–15 cm wide. The round or oblong blue fruits are about 1.3 cm in diameter and contain black, oval seeds approximately 0.76 mm long. It is native to Catamarca Province in northwest Argentina and to the western slopes of the Andes in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.