• Stenocactus crispatus
• Stenocactus fasciculatus

-This is a selected form of Echinofossulocactus.

-Echinofossulocactus fasciculatus is a solitary cactus: flat, long spines cover its wavy dark green ribs. The stem reaches 20 cm tall, it is globose or cylindric. The number of ribs can vary from 20 up to 80, but what makes this plant so interesting is how the ribs are waived and depressed, especially near the areoles. These areoles are wooly at first and only become naked later. During the blooming season (late spring till summer) small, funnel-shaped flowers appear.

-E. fasciculatus is an easy plant to grow. Use a regular cacti soil with little organic matter. It needs very good drainage and air circulation. Repot every other year. Rot sensitive: water adequately during summer, soil should always be moist. Don’t water in winter. Sensitive to frost. It prefers bright light outside and some direct sunlight inside, but it is subject to sunburn when exposed for too long. In strong light it tends to bronze: that also encourages flowering and spine production.

-Propagate by seeds or if available, by shots.

-This plant is commonly called Brain Plant.