Description
This is the rare and beautiful short spined form of E. davisii. This plant has an unique and unmistakable appearance and is considered by many among the nicest cactus cultivars.
The standard E. davisii is the tiniest Echinocereus species, plants are extremely diminutive and mostly subterranean (geophytes), usually do not offset.
Stem: Spherical stems with 6-9 ribs, dark green epidermis up to 1-2 cm in high and 1-3 cm in diameter (but cultivated specimens can grow bigger).
Spines: The areoles contain 8-14 spines, usually radial, pectinated, short but stout fang like, white whit a dark contrasting tip. 2-4 mm long.
Roots: Fibrous in young plant became tuberous in age.
Flowers: Yellow-green whit a green stigma and yellow pollen, up to 2 cm across, (buds acute, reddish and yellow-greenish).
Blooming season: Blossoming and fruiting occur on 3 to 4 year-old plants. Blooming period in cultivation is March-April.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
The standard species comes from a single population that occurs in west Texas, (Brewster Co., Marathon)
Habitat: Grows in flat hills on a specific substrate (rich in quartz sand) in a semi-desert grassland at an elevation of 1,200 m Sometimes plants in drought periods shrink well below ground level.
Cultivation and Propagation
In culture E. davisii is without problems but very slow growing and regularly shows its small green flowers if we provide an adequate winter rest period. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone) needs good drainage, Keep drier and cool in winter. Need full sun; Very cold resistant hardy to -18° C or less for short periods of time.
Propagation: Grafting, cuttings.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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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 Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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Brian Loflin, Shirley Loflin “Texas Cacti: A Field Guide” Texas A&M University Press, 26/ott/2009
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Albert Michael Powell, James F. Weedin “Cacti of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas” Texas Tech University Press, 2004
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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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Jackie M. Poole, William R. Sarr, Dana M. Price,& Jason R. Singhurst, “Rare Plants of Texas: A Field Guide” Texas A&M University Press, 2007
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