Shrub or tree-like, 3-10 m high; densely branched; branches 70-200 mm in diameter, often strongly greyish green when young, later dark blue-green. Stems with 4-9 ribs, areoles 25-50 mm apart; plant sometimes almost spineless. Spines few to many, yellow or brown when young, eventually turning grey to blackish; central spines 1-4 or more, 10-20 mm long, up to 3 mm broad at base; radial spines 7 or 8, up to 30 mm long. Leaves 0. Flowers: nocturnal, funnel-shaped. 210-300 mm; floral tube and hypanthium up to 160 mm long; green, bearing small, red or reddish scales; perianth segments 80-100 mm long, outer segments greenish white, sometimes tinged crimson, inner segments white; Nov.-Jan. Fruit ellipsoid, ± 60 mm long, crimson to pinkish red, pulp white.
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