Sandillón


Scientific Name: Eriosyce aurata (Pfeiffer) Backeberg
Synonym: Echinocactus auratus, Echinocactus ceratistes, Echinocactus sandillon, Eriosyce algarrobensis, Eriosyce ausseliana, Eriosyce ceratistes, Eriosyce ihotzkanae, Eriosyce lampapaensis, Eriosyce sandillon
Family: Cactaceae
Sandillón(Eriosyce aurata)
Young Eriosyce ceratistes at Kuentz Nursery in early June
Recommended Temperature Zone:
USDA: 10-11

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Chile (Coquimbo), at medium elevations in the Andes

Growth Habits: Spherical cactus, 20 inches in diameter (50 cm) or more, older specimen become columnar, reaching over 3 feet in height (90 cm)

Watering Needs: Keep very dry in winter

As they age, the nipples, shown on the picture of this 2 year old specimen, get organized in ribs. Adult specimens have around 30-35 ribs. They have abundant white wool and yellow spines on top. The areoles are large and oval. Young specimens have 1 central spine and 8 radial, but the number increase as they get older and areoles can have over 20 spines on mature specimens.

Blooming Habits:
This species has many bell or funnel-shaped carmine flowers, up to 2 inches long (5 cm), and 1.2 inches in diameter (3 cm). The flowers have a hairy floral tube. There might be over 50 flowers on a mature specimen (only mature specimens bloom).


 

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