Accession Count: 13
Common Name:
Easter lily cactus
Family Name:
Cactaceae
Botanical Name:
Echinopsis oxygona
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
The Easter lily cactus is a small, spherical (globose) cactus growing about 2 feet wide with multiple stems. The stems grow to a foot tall and are glaucouse (1,4). The cactus is heavily ribbed, spiny, and dark green. It has 11 to 18 ribs that are broad and rounded in the middle ends and more narrow and tapered at the ends (1). The areoles are close together, being only about 0.4 inches. Spines are 1 inch long and radiate out of each areole (1). The spines are hard with a slight curvature and are black to yellowish brown in color. The central spines appear in clusters of about 1-5, or are sometimes absent. The radial spines are clustered in groups of 3-15 (4,5,6). The species is known for its flowers as they are large, showy, pink, funnel-shaped flowers that open for an extravagant display for only one night during the flowering season (1 4,5). Flowers appear from late spring to summer. Following pollination, the flowers set fruits that are green, 1.5 inches long and have tufts of long fibrous threads across the surface.
Compound:
Ech oxy
Geographic Origin:
South Brazil, Uruguay, North Argentina
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The Easter lily is native to Argentina (Chaco, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, Formosa, Salta, Santa Fé, Tucumán), Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Paraguay, and Uruguay (2). The cactus species grows on walls and rocky outcrops in pampa grasslands and deciduous forests. They are commonly found at 150 - 3300 feet in elevation (4).
Cultivation Notes:
The Easter lily cactus is low maintenance and requires no supplemental watering in addition to rainfall. Let dry between waterings. Grows best in full sun or partial shade under small-leaved trees. Hardy to 20°F. (USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11).
Ethnobotany:
The Easter lily is a clumping cactus and functions very well as a container plant. (1,4,5,6). No medical uses have been found, but many growing practices have been used because of its large, showy blooms.
Height:
0 - 5 feet
Width:
0 - 5 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Pink
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
Citations:
- Anderson, Edward F. The Cactus Family. 1st ed., Timber Press Incorporated, 2001.
- Larocca, J., Machado, M., Kiesling, R., Oakley, L. & Pin, A. 2017. Echinopsis oxygona (amended version of 2013 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T151891A121447873. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017
- RLTS.T151891A121447873.en. Downloaded on 08 October 2018.
- Llifle
- World of Succulents
- North Caroline State University
