Echinocereus dasyacanthus
Echinocereus reichenbachii
spiny hedgehog cactus, Texas rainbow cactus
hedgehog cactus, lace cactus, lace hedgehog cactus
erect, ovoid, becoming cylindric with age, 11–23(–40) × (4.5–)5.5–7(–10) cm;
ribs (13–)15–19(–21), crests rather sharply undulate;
areoles 5–11 mm apart.
erect, cylindric or short cylindric, 7.5–30(–40) × (2.5–)4–10 cm;
ribs 10–19, slightly undulate;
areoles 1–6(–10) mm apart.
19–28 per areole, straight, appressed (radial spines) or spreading in all directions (central spines), presenting relatively bristly appearance (except when spines very short, and then having relatively smooth appearance as in E. pectinatus), pink to pale yellow, white, or tan, less often dark brown or purplish, annual growth increments marked (often vaguely) by rings of spines with contrasting colors;
radial spines (16–)17–25(–28) per areole, 5–15(–25) mm;
central spines (2–)8–12(–15) per areole, terete, largest spines 4.5–9.5(–14) mm.
15–36 per areole, white to tan, dull pink, dark brown, or purplish black, central spines and spine tips often darker;
radial spines 12–36 per areole, straight to slightly curved, appressed, pectinately arranged or nearly so, 2–8(–25) mm;
central spines 0–7 per areole, terete, 1–6(–15) mm.
7–8.5(–10) × 7–12 cm;
flower tube 10–20 × to 10 mm;
flower tube hairs 1–3 mm;
inner tepals either yellow (rarely orange-yellow, sometimes becoming salmon- or rose-pink with age), or rose-pink to magenta, proximal 5–30% green in either case, (25–)32–69(–77) × 8–23 mm, tips relatively thin and delicate;
anthers yellow;
nectar chamber 2–6 mm.
4.5–8(–12) × 5–10(–12) cm;
flower tube 22–40 × 10–30 mm;
flower tube hairs 5–15 mm;
inner tepals silvery pink to magenta, usually white, crimson, green, or multicolored proximally, 23–40 × 5–15 mm, tips relatively thin, delicate;
anthers yellow;
nectar chamber 2–5 mm.
dark dull purplish to maroon (sometimes remaining green), 2–3.5 cm, pulp white to purplish pink.
green, olive green, or dark green, 15–28 mm, pulp white.
= 44.
= 22.
Echinocereus dasyacanthus
Echinocereus reichenbachii
Flower color of Echinocereus dasyacanthus is spectacularly polymorphic. Unlike E. pectinatus var. wenigeri, however, the inner tepals are never white proximally. No hybrids are known to occur where the tetraploid E. dasyacanthus grows sympatrically with the diploid E. pectinatus, near the Pecos River. The names E. pectinatus var. neomexicanus and var. minor pertain to the hybrids with E. coccineus, E. ×roetteri, including E. ×lloydia. L. D. Benson (1969) misapplied the epithet neomexicanus to E. dasyacanthus. In Big Bend National Park, a few populations with unusually short spines are the basis for erroneous reports of E. pectinatus var. wenigeri, E. pectinatus var. pectinatus, and E. ctenoides (Engelmann) Lemaire. Reports from Arizona were apparently misidentifications of E. pseudopectinatus.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Of conservation concern.
The entire Echinocereus reichenbachii species group (E. reichenbachii, E. chisosensis, E. rigidissimus, E. pseudopectinatus, and an indefinite number of Mexican species) has unusually thin, bristlelike spines clothing the flowers and fruits as well as conspicuous, cobwebby tomentum of unusually long areolar hairs. The persistent, dry, white features of the flower tube are an essential distinction contrasting with the otherwise similar E. pectinatus species group (E. pectinatus, E. dasyacanthus, and possibly E. bonkerae), regardless of the spectacular, colorful floral displays.
The taxonomic and geographic boundaries among the segregate species or numerous proposed infraspecific taxa of Echinocereus reichenbachii remain nebulous and controversial. In no place do pure populations exist sympatrically, and all taxa appear completely interfertile. Typical E. reichenbachii is endemic to Mexico, near Saltillo, Coahuila. The common plants of E. reichenbachii in Texas, usually lacking central spines, are weakly distinguished from typical E. reichenbachii and are the basis for E. reichenbachii subsp. caespitosus. Oklahoma populations with unusually long bristlelike spines were named E. baileyi Rose [E. reichenbachii subsp. baileyi]. They intergrade, however, with the nearby, short-spined populations of E. reichenbachii. Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albispinus pertains to intermediates between E. baileyi and E. reichenbachii subsp. caespitosus. The flowers of E. reichenbachii var. fitchii are among the largest in the species, and their exact color pattern may prove taxonomically significant. Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii is somewhat morphologically and geographically intermediate between var. caespitosus and var. fitchii, but with flowers more closely resembling var. fitchii; it is sometimes considered a synonym of var. fitchii or a variety of E. fitchii Britton & Rose. The name “Echinocereus melanocentrus” appears frequently in cactus literature but has not been validly published.
Echinocereus reichenbachii is in the Center for Plant Conservation’s Collection of Endangered Plants.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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