Publication: Cacti Trans-Pecos 267. 2004
Description
It is a perennial stem succulent usually simple or branching, but older plants may exhibit limited branching above.
Similar species: Echinocereus viridiflorus var. neocapillus is somewhat like Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus, but with immature plants or new branches covered with very distictive, white, flexible hairs. The yellow or white spines are produced only when plants attain an height of 3-5 cm. Bases of older plants often show belt of white wool, with typical spines above. The juvenile stage, with long, white, hair-like spines, is considered characteristic, young plants of typical chloranthus never have hairs. Spines of adult specimens are very similar to those of Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus, but fewer (15-23). Moreover the radial spines cover surface of stem much more than do those of typical form, and centrals are more numerous and somewhat shorter. However, hairy juvenile forms are not exclusively of Echinocereus viridiflorus var. neocapillus, as this peculiar characteristic is also found in Echinocereus milleri, which has fewer radial spines (18-24) and fewer central spines (2-4) and Echinocereus viridiflorus var. canus, wich has more radial spines (30-48) and fewer central spines (8-15). The var. neocapillus intergrades with Echinocereus viridiflorus var. corelli at the morthern margin of its range.
Stem: Cylindrical, erect, pale or yellowish-green, 8-25 cm tall, 3-7 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 12-18, often nearly hidden by the densely set spines, , low, with distinct tubercles.
Areoles: Round to oval and 3-5 mm long, and up to 6 mm apart on the ribs. covered with much white or yellowish wool when young, bare when old except for very small tuft at upper end of areole where flower is produced.
Central spines: 5-11, not angled, stronger than radials straight, spreading in all directions from centre of areole, uppermost 3-6 mm long, slender; rest heavier, 6-18(-27) mm long, translucent yellow, white or light brown, often with reddish tip, or occasionally all reddish.
Radial spines: Several (26-)30-38(-45), straight, slender, tightly appressed, evenly radiating around the areoles, often crowded, interlocking with spines from other areoles, upper very slender, 3 mm long; length increases around areole; laterals to 6 mm long, lower ones slightly shorter, clear translucent yellow, light brown or chalk-white, all of an areole being same colour, and forming annual horizontal dark and light bands, (yellow, tan or light browm and white) around the stem on older plants. In juvenile plants the radial spines are short, pectinate, and appressed, except in turgid seedlings, where the radials may be spreading. All the spines has a bulbous base but usually covered, until they are very old, by the wool of the areoles.
Juvenile specimens Immature plants or new branches have no spines, but have thick covering of white, very fine, flexible hairs 6-30 (or more) mm long, 40 hairs per areole, when plant 2,5-5 cm tall, normal spines begin appearing at tip of stem; juvenile hairs often persisting at bases of older specimens.
Flowers: As in Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus. Diurnal, produced on lateral midstems, but sometime lower, funnelform, not opening widely, 25-32 mm long, 15-25 mm in diameter, dark green, yellowish green, bronze-green, brown or dark chocolate-brown. Usually the lemon scent of other related taxa. Ovary with white wool and white spines about 6-12 mm long. Inner perianth segments linear, edges entire, sharply pointed, not broadening throughout their length brownish-green or rusty and greener toward the center, often with dark green midlines with the margins lighter green and suffused with brown. Outer perianth segments often with brownish midlines and margins olive-yellow. Filaments pale yellow or greenish. Anthers cream coloured or yellow. Stile greenish, 1,2-2 cm long. Stigma lobes 8-10 dark green.
Blooming season: Spring for 15-30 days ( in habitat from March through May), The flowers open again for 3-4 days after closing at night. Individual plants or stems may produce more than 30 flowers at a time.
Fruits: As in Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus. Small, dry, nearly globular, 2-14 mm long, 7-10 mm in diameter, green (or dull purplish red), indehiscent, covered with small bristly spines, that easily fall away, leaving a glistening fruit wall. When the fruit mature they split open.
Seeds: 0,9-1,2 mm long and wide , black, papillate (warty), the hilum nearly basal, round.
Chromosome number: 2n = 22
Origin and Habitat
Small area south of Marathon, West Texas in Brewster County, about 150 miles south-east the typical Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus.
Altitude: 1100-1500 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It grow on hills over novaculite outcrops among grasses. Associates cactus species include include Opuntia rnacrocentra, Echinocereus stramineus, Escobaria hesteri, Thelocactus bicolor var. flavidispinus and Mammillaria heyderi. In the same area it is also possible to find a spare shrubby and herbaceous vegetation comprising: Viguiera stenoloha, Selaginella peruviana, Acacia constricta, Bouteloua ramosa, Dasyochloa pulchella, Larrea tridentata, Agave lechuguilla, Yucca elata, Yucca torreyi, Dasylirion leiophyllum, Nolina texana, Zinnia acerosa, and Thymophylla pentachaeta.
Cultivation and Propagation
In culture it is without problems and regularly shows its small greenish flowers if we provide an adequate winter rest period. They are re small plants with scented flowers that are better close to nose level. Displaying your cacti on shelves has the added benefit of keeping them off the ground and away from potential rodent or snail damage.
Soil: Use mineral well-permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Repotting: Repotting every 2-3 years. It will need a pot with sufficient depth to allow the tap root. As it is especially prone to rot under-pot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October, and keep perfectly dry in winter, at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!Care must be taken with watering as they tends to become swollen and untidy in growth habit if given too much water and shade.
Exposition: Outside bright sun, filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Subject to sunburn if exposed to direct sun for too long. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Hardiness: Keep drier and cool in winter. Very cold resistant hardy to -10° C or less for short periods of time.
Fertilization: During the growing season enrich the soil using a fertilizer rich in potassium and phosphorous, but poor in nitrogen, because this chemical element doesn’t help the development of succulent plants, making them too soft and full of water.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Sensitive to red spider mite. Overhead watering is helpful in controlling mites.
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs they develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Seeds or cutting (if available). Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove the glass cover gradually as the plants develops and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots.
Notes
Echinocereus neocapillus is part of the Echinocereus viridiflorus complex 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.
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
