Giant Claret Cup

Scientific Name: Echinocereus polyacanthus ssp. acifer (Otto ex Salm-Dyck) N.P. Taylor
Synonym: Cereus acifer, Echinocereus acifer ssp. tubiflorus , Echinocereus acifer, Echinocereus marksianus, Echinocereus polyacanthus var. densus
Family: Cactaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 8b-11

Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 10°F (-12°C)

Origin: Northern Mexico (Durango, Coahuila)

Growth Habits: Solitary or clumping, erect stems, up to 6 to 8 inches tall (15-20 cm), 1.6 to 2 inches in diameter (4-5 cm); 10 tuberculate ribs; areoles 0.2 to 0.4 inch apart (6-1 cm); 1 to 4 reddish brown central spines, up to 1 inch long (2.5 cm); 5 to 10 radials, 0.4 to 0.6 inch long (10-15 mm)

Blooming Habits:
Scarlet red flowers, up to 2.4 to 3 inches in diameter (6-7.5 cm), 3.6 to 4 inches long (9-10 cm), stigma with 9 or 10 lobes