Espostoa frutescens
Espostoa frutescens is a plant in the family Cactaceae.
Description
Espostoa frutescens is a cactus that grows up to 2 meters tall, with branches emerging from its base. The upright shoots range from 0.5 to 2 meters in length and 6 to 10 centimeters in diameter. The plant has 22 to 28 low, rounded ribs with closely spaced, elliptical, light brown woolly areoles. It bears 40 or more light yellow, needle-like spines that are 4 to 8 millimeters long, sometimes with a single central spine 1 to 2.5 centimeters long. The cephalium, measuring 20 to 50 centimeters long, has five to seven ribs and is covered in light brown wool up to 3 centimeters long.The funnel-shaped, white flowers are 4 to 4.5 centimeters long and 3.5 to 4 centimeters in diameter. The circular green fruits measure 1.6 to 2 centimeters in length and 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters in diameter.
The species relies on nectar bats for pollination. To facilitate the bats' echolocation, the plant's flowers are surrounded with a sound-absorbent furry area resulting in stronger flower echoes.