Publication: Handb. Cacteenk. (ed. 2 - Rümpler) 812. 1886
Description
Usually grows singly or forms two or more stems , but never forms large clusters or mounds.
Stems: as much as 7,5 cm in diameter and 15 (25) cm tall.
Spines: This species show the extreme variability in spine colour (white, yellow, brown, reddish, black) some plants has only short radials while other have a variable number of centrals.
Flowers:** Smaller than others in this genus about 2,5 cm long and 2,5 cm inch broad. They vary from yellowish-green to dark-red or brownish, and grow well down on the sides, often forming a band around the middle. Blooms in March or April.
Fruit: The fruit is small about the size of a small grape, green at first and later turning a purplish red and spiny.
Remarks: Echinocereus chloranthus is part of the Echinocereus viridiflorus compless*** that comprises a large number of infraspecific taxa, differing in various combinations of flower color, spine color, number and thickness of central spines, and other characters, including floral scent. Wherever such taxa are sympatric they intergrade; all are freely interfertile in the greenhouse. Among them:
Origin and Habitat
It is native from a narrow band stretching from the Big Bend of Texas and Mexico to southern New Mexico. El Paso habitat: mainly in the Franklin Mts.
Cultivation and Propagation
In culture E. chloranthus v. cylindricus is without problems and regularly shows its small greenish to brick-red coloured 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 -10° C or less for short periods of time.
Propagation: Seeds or cutting (if available)
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
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John Pilbeam (1999) “Mammillaria The Cactus File Handbook” Nuffield Press.
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Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 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/ago/2011
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