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Monday - May 11, 2009

From: Eagle Pass, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Cacti and Succulents
Title: Which cactus grow in the Eagle Pass, Texas area?
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

I would like to know which types of cacti grow in my area since I can't seem to find any websites that may give me a way to identify them. The type I seek is the round type of cacti not nopal types. Thank you very much and I hope to hear from you soon.

ANSWER:

According to Turner's Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Texas the following cactus are found in Maverick County, Texas:

Ariocarpus fissuratus (chautle livingrock)

Coryphantha echinus (rhinoceros cactus)

Coryphantha sulcata (pineapple cactus)

Cylindropuntia leptocaulis (Christmas cactus) [syn. Opuntia leptocaulis]

Echinocactus texensis (horse crippler)

Echinocereus enneacanthus (pitaya)

Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. fitchii (lace hedgehog cactus) [syn. Echinocereus fitchii]

Mammillaria heyderi (little nipple cactus)

Opuntia phaeacantha (tulip pricklypear)

Sclerocactus scheeri (Scheer's fishhook cactus) [syn.  Ancistrocactus scheeri]

Additionally, the following have been reported from the adjacent counties of Kinney, Zavala and/or Dimmitt:

Echinocactus horizonthalonius (devilshead)

Echinocereus papillosus (Allicoche hedgehog cactus) and photos

Mammillaria prolifera var. texana (Texas nipple cactus)

Opuntia atrispina (border pricklypear)

Opuntia engelmannii (cactus apple)

Sclerocactus brevihamatus ssp. tobuschii (shorthook fishhook cactus)

 

From the Image Gallery


Chautle livingrock
Ariocarpus fissuratus

Rhinoceros cactus
Coryphantha echinus

Pineapple cactus
Coryphantha sulcata

Tasajillo
Cylindropuntia leptocaulis

Horse crippler
Echinocactus texensis

Pitaya
Echinocereus enneacanthus

Little nipple cactus
Mammillaria heyderi

Tulip prickly pear
Opuntia phaeacantha

Scheer's fishhook cactus
Ancistrocactus scheeri

Devilshead
Echinocactus horizonthalonius

Texas nipple cactus
Mammillaria prolifera var. texana

Border pricklypear
Opuntia atrispina

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Bibliography

Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Texas (2003) Turner, B. L.; H. Nichols; G. Denny; O. Doron

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