180 THE FANTASTIC CLAN 



Harem Cactus; Mound Cactus (Eckinocactus 



polycephalus) 



(Named polycephalus from the many heads or stems of 



the plant) 



How to identify and how it grows 



The Harem Cactus is so called because on the desert these 

 plants grow In great clumps or colonies, one in the group 

 much taller than all the others. These large clumps have 

 forty or more stems In mounds five feet or so across, and 

 from six to eighteen Inches tall, with one or more large stems 

 in the center of each mound. Some of these stems are as 

 much as eight inches in diameter. On them appear twelve 

 to eighteen ridges whose crests are sharp and waxy. The 

 main body of the plant Is almost hidden by Its dense stout coat 

 of spines, of which there are four to eight radials and four 

 centrals. All thorns are cross-ridged and a grayish pink with 

 occasional bands of a deeper color. The flowers form in 

 a cluster in the center of the stem heads and are about two and 

 one-half Inches long. Each flower Is composed of nearly one 

 hundred petals and sepals, together, bright yellow and purple- 

 red. These blossoms are partly hidden by the long sharp 

 stout spines. The fruit Is elliptical and covered with dense 

 woolly creamy white hairs. This plant grows in stony or 

 rocky soils with plenty of exposure. 



How to grow 



Set out plants early In spring in rocky or stony soil with 

 sunny exposures, and give enough irrigation to keep the soil 

 moist. Sow the seed in fine sandy loam in flats or pots in 

 part shade, and water enough to keep the soil lightly moist. 

 The plants grow indoors and out and are not injured by 

 twenty degrees of frost; In colder weather they require pro- 

 tection. 



