| Echinocereus nicholii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinocereus |
| Species: | E. nicholii |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinocereus nicholii (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt, 1987 | |
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| Synonyms | |
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Echinocereus nicholii is a species of cactus native to Mexico. [2]
Echinocereus nicholii forms large, loose groups of up to 30 upright, cylindrical shoots from the base. These shoots are 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) long and 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) in diameter, with 10 to 13 non-tuberculated ribs. The plant features strikingly long central spines that are glassy white or golden yellow. There are typically 2 to 6 (rarely up to 11) straight and stiff central spines, with the lowest being 5 to 6.2 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long. The 8 to 12 (sometimes up to 18) marginal spines are spreading, straight, and 0.8 to 1.2 cm (0.31 to 0.47 in) long.
The funnel-shaped flowers are red to blood red, appearing on the upper half of the shoots. They are 5 to 6.2 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long and have a similar diameter. The initially green, egg-shaped fruits turn red and are covered with falling thorns. [3]
Echinocereus nicholii is found in the southeastern state of Arizona, USA in the Silverbell mountains near Tucson to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the state of Sonora, Mexico. It thrives in xeric scrublands on limestone and basaltic soils at elevations of 300 to 900 meters above sea level. Plants are found growing with Carnegiea gigantea , Ferocactus cylindraceus , Ferocactus emoryi , Cochemiea grahamii , Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa , Stenocereus thurberi , and sometimes Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus . [4]
Originally described as Echinocereus engelmannii var. nicholii by Lyman David Benson in 1944, the specific epithet honors American biologist Andrew Alexander Nichol. [5] Bruce Dale Parfitt reclassified it as a distinct species in the genus Echinocereus in 1987. [6]
Echinocereus engelmannii, the strawberry hedgehog cactus or Engelmann's hedgehog cactus, is a cactus commonly found in desert areas of the southwestern United States and the adjacent areas of Mexico, including the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Baja California and Sonora.
Ferocactus cylindraceus is a species of barrel cactus which is known by several common names, including California barrel cactus, Desert barrel cactus, compass barrel cactus, and miner's compass. It was first described by George Engelmann in 1853.
Ferocactus glaucescens, the glaucous barrel cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Cactaceae, native endemic to México.
Ferocactus echidne is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus. It is found in nature in Mexico. This cactus is known commonly as Sonora barrel, Coville's barrel cactus, Emory's barrel cactus, and traveler's friend. This plant is often sold as a houseplant.
Ferocactus peninsulae is a barrel cactus in the genus Ferocactus of the family Cactaceae.
Echinocereus berlandieri is a species of hedgehog cactus. Its range includes most of South Texas, and is commonly found along the Nueces River and the lower Rio Grande.
Cochemiea conoidea, common name Texas cone cactus or Chihuahuan beehive, is a species of cactus native to southern United States to central Mexico.
Ferocactus gracilis, the fire barrel cactus, is a species of Ferocactus from Northwestern Mexico. This cactus gets its common name from the striking red coloration of its defensive spines and flowers.
Echinocereus bonkerae, also known as pinkflower hedgehog cactus, Bonker hedgehog, or short spined strawberry cactus, is a species of hedgehog cactus.
Ferocactus lindsayi is a species of Ferocactus found in Mexico.
Ferocactus johnstonianus is a species of Ferocactus found in Mexico
Cochemiea poselgeri is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico
Cochemiea pondii is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Echinocereus viereckii is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus brandegeei is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus ferreirianus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus maritimus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus sciurus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus adustus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus laui is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Media related to Echinocereus nicholii at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Echinocereus nicholii at Wikispecies