| Echinocereus nivosus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinocereus |
| Species: | E. nivosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinocereus nivosus | |
Echinocereus nivosus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus nivosus grows richly branched and forms cushions up to 12 cm (4.7 in) high and 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. The light green egg-shaped to short cylindrical shoots have a diameter of up to 4 cm (1.6 in) and are almost completely covered by thorns. There are ten to 15 ribs that are slightly tuberous. The slender thorns are mostly glassy white. There are ten to 15 central spines up to 2 cm (0.79 in) long. The 25 to 40 radiating marginal spines are 4 to 9 mm (0.16 to 0.35 in) long.
The slender, funnel-shaped flowers are deep pink to deep magenta and appear at the tips of the shoots. They are up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long and reach a diameter of 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in). The reddish lavender-colored fruits are almost spherical and thorny. [3]
The species is known only from two collection sites about 1900 to 2000 meters above sea level in the Sierra Madre Oriental, in the southeastern part of the state of Coahuila. It inhabits exposed sites of limestone rock. [1]
The species is currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to its extremely restricted distribution, apparently low total population size, and being sought after by collectors. [1]
The first description by Charles Edward Glass and Robert Alan Foster was published in 1978. The specific epithet nivosus comes from Latin, means 'snow-covered' and refers to the white thorns of the species. [4]
Echinocereus poselgeri, also known as the dahlia cactus, is a species of Echinocereus. It is native to Coahuila and southern Texas.
Echinocereus pentalophus, with the common name ladyfinger cactus, is a species of Echinocereus cactus, in the tribe Echinocereeae Tribe. It is native to North America.
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.
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.
Echinocereus scheeri is a species of hedgehog cactus in the family Cactaceae, native to northern Mexico. With its dramatic offsets, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Echinocereus spinigemmatus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus parkeri is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus viereckii is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus mapimiensis is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus russanthus is a species of cactus native to Texas and Mexico.
Echinocereus ferreirianus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus ledingii is a species of cactus native to Arizona.
Echinocereus rayonesensis is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus sciurus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus primolanatus 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.
Echinocereus pamanesii is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus schereri is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Media related to Echinocereus nivosus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Echinocereus nivosus at Wikispecies