Echinocereus triglochidiatus

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Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Echinocereus triglochidiatusUGA0807034.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Echinocereus
Species:
E. triglochidiatus
Binomial name
Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Synonyms
List
    • Cereus triglochidiatus(Engelm.) Engelm. 1849
    • Echinocereus paucispinus var. triglochidiatus(Engelm.) K.Schum. 1898
    • subsp mojavensis
      • Echinocereus mojavensis(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Engelm. ex Rümpler 1886
      • Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. mojavensis(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) L.D.Benson 1944
      • Cereus bigeloviiEngelm. 1857
      • Cereus mohavensisS.Watson 1878
      • Cereus mojavensis var. zuniensisEngelm. 1856
      • Echinocereus mojavensis var. zuniensis(Engelm.) Rümpler 1886
      • Echinocereus sandersiOrcutt 1926
    • subsp. triglochidiatus
      • Cereus gonacanthusEngelm. & J.M.Bigelow 1857 publ. 1856
      • Cereus hexaedrusEngelm. & J.M.Bigelow 1857 publ. 1856
      • Cereus octacanthus(Muehlenpf.) J.M.Coult. 1896
      • Cereus roemeriEngelm. 1849
      • Echinocereus coccineus var. octacanthus(Muehlenpf.) Boissev. 1940
      • Echinocereus gonacanthus(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Lem. 1868
      • Echinocereus octacanthus(Muehlenpf.) Britton & Rose 1922
      • Echinocereus paucispinus var. gonacanthus(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) K.Schum. 1898
      • Echinocereus paucispinus var. hexaedrus(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) K.Schum. 1898
      • Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. gonacanthus(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Boissev. 1940
      • Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. hexaedrus(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Boissev. 1940
      • Echinopsis octacanthaMuehlenpf. 1848
Close-up of Echinocereus triglochidiatus flower; Joshua Tree National Park, California Echinocereus triglochidiatus 0001.jpg
Close-up of Echinocereus triglochidiatus flower; Joshua Tree National Park, California

Echinocereus triglochidiatus is a species of hedgehog cactus known by several common names, including kingcup cactus, claret cup cactus, red-flowered hedgehog cactus and Mojave mound cactus. This cactus is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it is a resident of varied habitats from low desert to rocky slopes, scrub, and mountain woodland. E. triglochidiatus is the official state cactus of Colorado. [3]

Contents

Description

A number of varieties of this highly variable cactus species are known, but not all are universally recognized. In general, it is a mounding cactus, forming bulbous piles of spherical to light to bluish green cylindrical stems, forming cushions over 1 meter in diameter with up to 500 shoots. Stems range from 5 to 40 cm long and 5 to 15 cm in diameter withfive to twelve ribs that are either straight-edged or tuberculated. It is densely spiny and somewhat woolly. The one to four central spines are similar to the peripheral spines, with up to 22 round or flattened, yellow to dark marginal spines that can be 1 to 7 cm long, though some may be absent. The showy flower is a funnel-shaped bloom up to 8–9 cm (3.1–3.5 inches) wide and bright scarlet red to orange-red tepals. A thick nectar chamber and many thready pink stamens are at the center of the corolla. [4] The fruits are spherical to obovate, slightly pink or reddish, and lose their thorns over time. [5] The chromosome count is 2n = 22. [6]

Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies: [7]

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Echinocereus triglochidiatus 8.jpg Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. mojavensis(Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) W.Blum & Mich.LangeArizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Mexico(Baja California)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus (19357889153).jpg Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. triglochidiatusArizona, Colorado, New Mexico

Taxonomy

The kingcup cactus's taxonomy is a topic of contention. Varieties of the E. triglochidiatus often vary dramatically in their stems and spines, with closely related combinations producing radically different looking plants. Many varieties have little or no documented natural occurrences, but were observed in cultivation. [8]

Plants in the western portion of the range of E. triglochidiatus were formerly considered E. triglochidiatus var. mojavensis. This taxon included both the California curly-spined plants and the straight-spined plants that reside in Arizona, Utah, and western Colorado. The straight-spined varieties were called E. triglochidiatus var. melanacanthus. Those in the eastern portion of the distribution were called E. triglochidiatus var. triglochidiatus. They have fewer and larger spines. [9] These varieties became their own distinct subspecies, and only the E. triglochidiatus var. triglochidiatus is a recognized variant. [4]

One variety, E. t.arizonicus or the Arizona Hedgehog cactus, is federally listed as an endangered species in the United States. It is limited to the intersection of Arizona and New Mexico in the United States with Mexico. This variety is sometimes included within Echinocereus coccineus . Conversely, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System lists the variety as its own species, Echinocereus arizonicus. [10] [11]

Distribution

All the varieties of the E. triglochidiatus can be found in the Southwestern United States. It lives in various upland, mountain, and dessert climates throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, California, Texas and Northern Mexico at elevations between 150 to 3500 meters. [8]

Etymology

The name comes from the Greek tri- and glochidium , meaning "three glochids." [12]

Ecology

Although it is favored by hummingbirds for pollination, its flowers are not specialized for hummingbird pollination, and it is pollinated by bees as well. [13] [4]

Seeds are dispersed from the fruits of mature plants. While ants occasionally take fruit to their mounds, leaving seeds above to sprout - feeding by rodents and lagomorphs are the most common means of dispersal. New sprouts of the cactus thrive under the shade of the fourwing saltbush, which provides protection from animals and desiccation. [4] [14] New growth of E. triglochidiatus is clustered around very old specimens, atop the remains of the saltbushes that served as a nursery. Rodents occasionally kill the plants by digging nests underneath, destroying roots. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Echinocereus</i> Genus of plants

Echinocereus is a genus of ribbed, usually small to medium-sized, cylindrical shaped cacti, comprising about 70 species native to the southern United States and Mexico in very sunny, rocky places. Usually the flowers are large and the fruit edible.

<i>Echinocereus engelmannii</i> Species of cactus

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.

<i>Echinocereus reichenbachii</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus reichenbachii is a perennial plant and shrub in the cactus family. The species is native to the Chihuahuan Desert and parts of northern Mexico and the southern United States, where they grow at elevations up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft). This cactus earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Ferocactus cylindraceus</i> Species of cactus

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.

<i>Echinocereus chisoensis</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus chisoensis is a rare North American species of cactus known by the common name Chisos Mountain hedgehog cactus, native to the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico and the south-central United States.

<i>Echinocereus fendleri</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus fendleri is a species of cactus known by the common names pinkflower hedgehog cactus and Fendler's hedgehog cactus. It is named in honor of Augustus Fendler.

<i>Echinocereus viridiflorus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus viridiflorus is a species of cactus known by the common names nylon hedgehog cactus, green pitaya, and small-flowered hedgehog cactus. It is native to the central and south-central United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in varied habitat types, including desert scrub, woodlands, dry grasslands, and short-grass prairie.

<i>Echinocereus dasyacanthus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus dasyacanthus is a member of the cactus family, Cactaceae. It is one of about 2000 total species belonging to this family. The cactus is commonly known as Texas rainbow cactus because of the subtle rings or bands of contrasting colors along the stem of the plant. Not all Texas rainbow cacti have the "rainbow" coloration on their stems. Another common name is spiny hedgehog cactus.

<i>Echinocereus stramineus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus stramineus is a species of cactus, with stramineus meaning made of straw. There are various common names such as strawberry cactus, porcupine hedgehog cactus, straw-color hedgehog, and pitaya. The straw-colored spines distinguishes this particular plant from other Echinocereus. The aged spines may turn white in color and are very fragile.

<i>Echinocereus berlandieri</i> Species of cactus

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.

<i>Echinocereus arizonicus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus arizonicus is a species of cactus native to the Chihuahuan Desert region of Chihuahua, southwestern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona, as well as in the Superstition and Mescal Mountains of Central Arizona at elevations between 1400 to 1900 meters.

<i>Echinocereus pectinatus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus pectinatus is a species of hedgehog cactus.

<i>Echinocereus coccineus</i> Species of plant

Echinocereus coccineus is a species of hedgehog cactus. Its native to Northern and Central America. It grows on full sun, in sandy or rocky well-drained soil. It can survive in hardiness zones 8–11.

<i>Echinocereus rigidissimus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus rigidissimus, commonly known as the Arizona rainbow cactus or rainbow hedgehog cactus, is a solitary-growing cactus that rarely branches or offsets with age.

<i>Echinocereus relictus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus relictus is a species of hedgehog cactus commonly known as “purple-spined hedgehog cactus”.

<i>Echinocereus bonkerae</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus bonkerae, also known as pinkflower hedgehog cactus, Bonker hedgehog, or short spined strawberry cactus, is a species of hedgehog cactus.

<i>Echinocereus websterianus</i> Species of cactus in Mexico

Echinocereus websterianus, commonly known as the San Pedro Nolasco hedgehog cactus or Webster's hedgehog cactus, is a species of cactus. It is named after American philanthropist Gertrude Webster, who cofounded the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

<i>Echinocereus ferreirianus</i> Species of cactus

Echinocereus ferreirianus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.

Echinocereus bakeri, commonly known as Baker kingcup cactus, is a species of cactus native to the Southwestern United States.

Echinocereus yavapaiensis is a species of cactus native to Arizona.

References

  1. ↑ NatureServe (2023). "Echinocereus triglochidiatus". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  2. ↑ Univ., Martin Terry (Sul Rose State; College, Kenneth Heil (San Juan; Mexico, New; Ambiental), Rafael Corral-Díaz (Consultor (2009-11-17). "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  3. ↑ "State Cactus". Archives. 2015-02-18. Retrieved 2019-08-09.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Echinocereus triglochidiatus". www.fs.usda.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  5. ↑ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. p. 210-211. ISBN   3-8001-4573-1.
  6. ↑ Baker, M. (2006). "A new florally dimorphic hexaploid, Echinocereus yavapaiensis sp. nov. (section Triglochidiatus, Cactaceae) from central Arizona". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 258 (1–2): 63–83. doi:10.1007/s00606-005-0390-9. ISSN   0378-2697.
  7. ↑ "Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm". Plants of the World Online. 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  8. 1 2 Benson, Lyman (1983). The cacti of the United States and Canada (2nd print. ed.). Stanford, CA: Stanford Univ. Press. pp. 242–243, 607–609. ISBN   978-0-8047-0863-0.
  9. ↑ "Echinocereus triglochidiatus in Flora of North America @ efloras.org". www.efloras.org. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  10. ↑ Thomas, Kathryn; Shryock, Daniel; Esque, Todd (4 October 2019). "Arizona Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. arizonicus) - A Systematic Data Assessment in Support of Recovery" (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "ITIS - Report: Echinocereus arizonicus". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  12. ↑ "EcoFlora - Echinocereus triglochidiatus". biokic3.rc.asu.edu. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  13. ↑ "Hummingbirds pollinate claret cup cactus". Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine. 2018-05-30. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  14. ↑ Lozano, Rogelio; Reid, William (1982). "Claret cup cactus at White Sands National Monument". Cactus & Succulent Journal. 54: 196–201.
  15. ↑ Lorenzo, R.; Reid, W. (1980). "Life history of Echinocereus triglochidiatus at White Sands National Monument, New Mexico". Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Journal. 15: 13–14 – via CABI Digital Library.


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