| Echinocereus sciurus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinocereus |
| Species: | E. sciurus |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinocereus sciurus (K.Brandegee) Dams 1904 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Echinocereus sciurus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus sciurus grows like a groundcover, forming clusters up to 60 cm (24 in) wide. The slender shoots, often up to 20 cm (7.9 in) long, are almost hidden by numerous thorns. It has 12 to 17 low ribs, divided into tubercles spaced 5 to 6 mm (0.20 to 0.24 in) apart. The 15 to 18 slender radial spines, pale with brownish tips, are arranged in a circle with small areoles. Several central spines are shorter and have a brown sloping spine. The funnel-shaped flowers are light to deep purple-pink, up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, and 9 cm (3.5 in) in diameter, with numerous stamens having greenish filaments and a green stigma. [2]
There are two recognized subspecies: [3]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Echinocereus sciurus subsp. floresii(Backeb.) N.P.Taylor | Mexico (NW. Sonora) | |
| Echinocereus sciurus subsp. sciurus | Mexico (S. Baja California Sur) | |
Echinocereus sciurus is found in the Sonoran Desert in Baja California Sur and Sinaloa, Mexico, at elevations between 10 and 200 meters. Plants are found growing along with Pachycereus pringlei , Stenocereus thurberi , Lophocereus schottii , Ferocactus townsendianus , Echinocereus barthelowianus , Peniocereus johnstonii , Stenocereus gummosus , Cochemiea schumannii , Cochemiea armillata , and Mammillaria peninsularis . [4]
Originally described as Cereus sciurus by Mary Katharine Brandegee in 1904, the species name 'sciurus' means 'squirrel,' referring to the color and texture of the spines. [5] Erich Dams reclassified it under the genus Echinocereus in the same year. [6] [7]
Echinocereus poselgeri, also known as the dahlia cactus, is a species of Echinocereus. It is native to Coahuila and southern Texas.
Cochemiea conoidea, common name Texas cone cactus or Chihuahuan beehive, is a species of cactus native to southern United States to central Mexico.
Cochemiea mainiae is a species of cactus in the subfamily Cactoideae, with the common name counterclockwise nipple cactus.
Thelocactus hexaedrophorus is a species of cactus. It is endemic to 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.
Cochemiea poselgeri is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico
Cochemiea hutchisoniana is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Cochemiea setispina is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Cochemiea armillata is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Cochemiea cerralboa is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Cochemiea halei is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Cochemiea phitauiana is a species of Cochemiea found in Mexico.
Echinocereus barthelowianus 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 nicholii is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Echinocereus ortegae 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.
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Media related to Echinocereus sciurus at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Echinocereus sciurus at Wikispecies