Echinocereus Engelmann (1848)

(latin echinus = hedgehog, latin cereus = waxy, candle)
a genus of columnar cacti, because of spination, short columnar plants

short columnar to oblong to flat globular, soft fleshy, forming clumps
ribs very different, often under 10; spines partly spreaded, partly pectinate, colored
flowers large, for a long time, calyx and tube acicular spined
stigma mostly green; fruits strong spined, juicy; seeds small to medium size, black

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Distribution

Mexico - northern of Mexico City to
USA - California, Utha, Wyoming and South Dakota
very warm steppes

Growth period

sunny and hot, but some differences to respect
1. with green, less spined shoots, are easy to cultivate,
    should be protected before blazing sun in spring, after flower a sunny location
2. with stronger spined shoots, are some sensitive for to much watering, careful pouring
    get a full sunny location
permanent moisture avoid, first watering in March
than constant pouring, but first after drying soil, constant slightly moisture, to form buds
in early summer many watering, in mid summer and early fall sparse pouring
from late fall to spring absolutly dry

Winter period

very light and absolutly dry minimum 6–10°C (42–50°F)
shrink of shoots is normal
some species are winter-hard and are cultivate outdoor with some measures

Substrat

with some clay, nutritious and well porous
   
Echinocereus stramineus (Engelmann) F. Seitz (1870)
 
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Habitat

USA
Texas, New Mexico
Mexico
Chihuahua, Nuevo León, Coahuila
on limestone hills in 600–1500 m (1968–4921 ft) altitude

Description

straw-yellow (spines) Echinocereus
cylindric, 12–25 cm (4.7–9.8 in) long, 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) Ø, forming clusters,
forming large mounds with up to 500 heads and to 1,5 m (4.9 ft) Ø
13 ribs
spines dense, disordered arranged, first brownish to straw-colored,
later white
7–14 radial spines, to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, spreaded
3–4 central spines, 5–9 cm (2–3.5 in) long
flowers 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 in) long and Ø, shiny magenta to purple,
tube and ovary short, white hairy
fruits globular, red, eatable

Comment

Common names "Spiny Strawberry Hedgehog", "Strawberry Cactus"
becaus of the like strawberry tasted fruits
Synonyms Cereus stramineus Engelmann (1856)
Echinocereus enneacanthus var. stramineus (Engelmann) L. D. Benson (1969)
CITES Appendix II
 
Description of "Kakteen von A bis Z" by Walter Haage with courtesy by Kakteen-Haage made available.

 

 

 

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