Publication: Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 41: 127. 1969 Note: The name Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albispinus is used for Echinocereus baileyi by Benson 1969
Description
Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albispinus is a local or morphological form of the variable Echinocereus reichenbachii subs. baileyi. It is rarely found in cultivation and differentiates from standard baileyi only for the very attractive white spination (Latin “albispinus” = white spined), all the other characteristics are identical, namely size and form of stems, number of spines, flowers, fruits ans seeds.
Remark: Do not confound this plant with Echinocereus reichenbachii f. albispinus, which is a white form of Echinocereus reichenbachii (subsp. reichenbachii).
Habit: Solitary or branching from the base.
Stems: Cylindrical, 10-20 cm or more in height and has a diameter up 4- 9 cm.
Ribs: About 15 acute, slender or sometimes arranged spirally, bearing oval areoles.
Central spines: No central spine.
Radials spines: about 16 needle-shaped, bristly spreading which point outward and downward, white to delicately pinkish, 1-2 cm long.
Flowers: Funnelform magenta-pink close to the end of the stems of the youngest areoles, which are white and woolly. 6-12 cm in diameter.
Remarks: The taxonomic and geographic boundaries among the segregate species or infraspecific taxa of Echinocereus reichenbachii remain nebulous and controversial. In no place do pure populations exist sympatrically, and all taxa appear completely interfertile.
Origin and Habitat
USA (Oklahoma)
Cultivation and Propagation
This cacti, native to the Great Plains, whether found growing directly in the grasslands or in rock outcroppings, are among the most frost and moisture tolerant. In culture E. baileyi is without problems and regularly shows its large purple flowers if we provide an adequate winter rest period. It grown well in an unheated greenhouse, but this species can survive in a protected bed as well. Very cold resistant hardy to -30° C or less for short periods of time. It needs good drainage. Keep drier and cool in winter. Need full sun.
Propagation: Seeds or cutting as it branches freely from the base.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward F. Anderson (2001) “ The Cactus Family”.
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Curt Backeberg “Cactus Lexicon” Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated, 1978
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David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006 ISBN 0953813444, 9780953813445
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Del Weniger “Cacti of the Southwest: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana” University of Texas Press, 1969
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under GlassCambridge University Press, 11/ago/2011
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Lyman David Benson “The Cacti of the United States and Canada” Stanford University Press, 1982
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