Echinocereus websterianus

Description

Echinocereus websterianus is a species of the genus Echinocereus of the cactus family(Cactaceae). The specific epithet websterianus honors the American philanthropist Gertrude D. Webster (1872-1947), who was one of the main sponsors of the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix . Echinocereus websterianus usually grows richly branched with up to 50 shoots that form groups of up to 60 centimeters in diameter. The cylindrical shoots are 40 to 60 inches long and have a diameter of up to 8 inches. There are 18 to 24 ribs . The golden yellow thorns turn brown in age and have a length of up to 1 centimeter. The six to eight medial spines are spangled and the 14 to 18 spines are spread. The funnel-shaped flowers are light to deep pink and have a white throat. They appear near the shoot tips, are up to 6 inches long and reach diameters of 3 to 4 centimeters. The egg-shaped fruits are light green and contain white flesh . They are 3.5 inches long and have a diameter of 1.5 centimeters.