About Stenocactus crispatus (DC.) A.Berger
Stenocactus crispatus is a globose, obovoid, or short-cylindric cactus that grows up to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and 10 cm (3.9 in) wide. Its stem has a bluish-green to dark olive-green color. It produces 3 to 4 very long, flattened central spines that range in length from 1–10 cm (0.39–3.94 in); these spines vary in color from white and yellow to an almost black dark brown. The central spines are surrounded by 4 to 6 radial spines that measure 0.5–1 cm (0.20–0.39 in) long. This species is similar to Stenocactus multicostatus, and like that species it is highly variable. It often has a darker stem and fewer ribs than S. multicostatus, usually bearing 30 to 60 ribs compared to the 50 to 100 ribs found on S. multicostatus. Its well-developed flowers are 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, pale pink with purple or violet mid-veins, and covered with overlapping imbricating scales. Stenocactus crispatus occurs in the Mexican states of Hidalgo, Queretaro, Veracruz, Oaxaca and Puebla, in northern and central Mexico.
