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Echinocereus polyacanthus var. huitcholensis (F.A.C.Weber) N.P.Taylor

Family: CACTACEAE · Variety or form of Echinocereus polyacanthus

Publication: Bradleya 6: 82 (1988)

Description

Echinocereus polyacanthus subs. huitcholensis (Echinocereus huitcholensis) is a clumping cactus, forming cushions, with brilliant orange up to 11 cm long flower.

Derivation of specific name: “huitcholensis” for the occurrence in the Sierra de los Huitcholes, Jalisco, Mexico.

Stems: 4 to 6 cm long, 2 to 4 cm in diameter.

Radial spines: 10 to 12.

Central spine: Usually solitary

Flowers: Diurnal, arising near the stem’s apex, 11 cm long or less, narrow funnel-form, with a pronounced tube. Perianth-segments uncertain

orange, spines on ovary and tube weak, acicular. Areoles of flower-tube bearing long cobwebby hairs.

Origin and Habitat

Echinocereus huitcholensis is known only from the type locality.

Type locality: Sierra de Nayarit (Part of Sierra de los Huitcholes), Jalisco, Mexico.

Cultivation and Propagation

This cactus is widely cultivated for its flowers. It is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate. Water regularly from March to October. Rot prone in winter, it needs good drainage. Claret Cups require strong sunlight to maintain a healthy appearance, and a harsh “dry and cool” winter environment combined with maximum light exposure enhances spring flower production.

Frost Tolerance: Depends on the variety. The species from Baja California is less resistant (hardy to -5° C); the other varieties are much more cold resistant (some populations can tolerate temperatures down to -12° C or less)

Bibliography

Major references and further lectures

  1. Paul Carpenter Standley, United States National Museum “Trees and Shrubs of Mexico: Passifloraceae-Scrophulariaceae” U.S. Government Printing Office, 1924

  2. Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Volume 3, 1922

  3. “Contributions from the United States National Herbarium”, Volume 23 Smithsonian Institution Press, 1926

  4. Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names” Springer Science & Business Media, 29 June 2013

Gallery

Echinocereus polyacanthus var. huitcholensis (Echinocereus polyacanthus subs. huitcholensis)
Echinocereus polyacanthus var. huitcholensis (Echinocereus polyacanthus subs. huitcholensis)© Peiffer Clement · source · CC-BY-SA