Scientific Name
Echinopsis aurea Britton & Rose
Common Name(s)
Golden Easter Lily Cactus, Golden Cob
Synonym(s)
Hymenorebutia aurea, Lobivia aurea, Pseudolobivia aurea, Salpingolobivia aurea, Echinopsis quinensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Description
Echinopsis aurea is a small cactus with globular to short-cylindrical, dark green stems with 14 to 15 sharp-edged ribs separated by deep grooves. It usually grows solitary or sometimes with many basal and lateral offshoots. The stems can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in height and 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. This species appears to be very variable regarding the number, color, and length of the spines. Each areole bears 8 to 10 radial and 4 central spines. The radial spines can grow up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long, while the central spines are much stouter than radial, often flattened, and can grow up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long.
The flowers are usually lemon yellow and bright yellow inside but can also be white, pink, or red. They are funnel-shaped, measuring up to 4 inches (10 cm) long, and appear in late spring and occasionally in summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even when slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will be noticeably plump. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the cut surface, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis.
Origin
Echinopsis aurea is native to northern Argentina.
Varieties
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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