Plant Description
These cacti often form large rounded mounds composed of many individual stems (3 inches to 6 inches in length and 2 inches to 3 inches in diameter) that are tightly packed together. Each stem has 9 or 10 ribs.
Distinguished from E. triglochidiatus by having round spines, while the former has angled or flattened spines. Notably, this species is functionally dioecious, plants produce fertile male or female flowers on separate plants.
Habitat
Flowers
Red to red-orange with bright green stigma in center. Flowers to 2-1/2 inches wide.
Stems
Multiple, upright, 2 to 5 inches wide with 5 to 12 vertical ribs with spines. ribs sometimes have bumps (tubercles).
Areoles
These are structures unique to cacti, found on the stems, areas from which spines, flowers and fruits emerge.
Greyish, tan or white spines with a central spine to 2-1/2 inches long. During first season spines may be yellow, pink or sometimes nearly black.
Fruit
One inch long fruit with deciduous spines and contains many black seeds.