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 huascha var. grandiflora is native to North West Argentina between altitudes of 800 to 2000 meters. It is commonly called the Red Torch Cactus. It has many synonyms, some of which are Lobivia grandiflora, Helianthocereus grandiflorus, Trichocereus rowleyi, Trichocereus huascha and Cereus huascha. It is a shrub forming cactus with individual stems reaching up to a meter high. The branches usually form near the base of the stem. The stems are about 13 cm thick and have between 14 and 17 ribs and are either erect of creeping with the growing tip always pointing up. The areoles are spaced at intervals of 2.5 cm and have 3 long thick spines between 5 and 18 cm long in the middle, with 9 to 11 shorter spines of about 1.5 cm long arranged around them. The orange to red flowers are funnel or bell shaped and occur at the tip of the stems. They open during the day and can be between 18 to 25 cm in diameter. The flower stems are 10 to 15 cm long and are covered in brown or black hairs. After flowering, yellowish green to red fruits form. They are spherical to ovoid in shape and are about 3 cm in diameter.