  
 
Echinopsis which is placed in the Cactaceae family, is a large genus of 128 species of cacti which grow naturally in the South American countries of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay. They grow in sandy or gravel soils on hillsides and in rocky crevices. They range in size from large tree like species, to small species such as Echinopsis chamaecereus, the peanut cactus. They have large, showy flowers which seldom last longer than a day; however they are such prolific bloomers that they can be covered with flowers for days on end. Echinopsis is distinguished from other genera by the length of the flower tube, the form and size of their stems, and from where the flowers occur on the stem.   
  Some common names include hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus and Easter lily cactus. Due to the large number or species, and large number of variations, it has made classification of species in this genus very difficult. This has resulted in a large number of synonyms for Echinopsis, most of which used to be considered separate genera, but are now included in the genus Echinopsis. All these synonyms are still widely used by collectors and enthusiasts and there is much debate and controversy as to the correct classification.  The name comes from the Greek word echinos meaning 'spiny', 'hedgehog' or 'sea urchin', and opsis meaning 'likeness' or looks like. Echinopsis can be grown as pot plants and make interesting features on a sunny veranda. They also make an attractive addition to a rockery or water-wise garden.
Echinopsis candicans var. gladiatus is a shrubby species native to northern Argentina. It grows to about 60 cm tall, and with all its many branches it can be up to 3 m wide. The stems are light green in colour and about 14 cm thick and there are from 9 to 11 ribs. The yellowish brown spines are positioned on the ribs at intervals of 2 to 3 cm apart, and can be up to 10 cm long. In summer the plant bears large, fragrant, white flowers up to 19 cm in diameter which open up at night and last for less than a day.
  
 
  
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