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Native Plant Database

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Echinocereus dasyacanthus (Spiny hedgehog cactus)
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Echinocereus dasyacanthus Engelm.

Spiny hedgehog cactus, Texas rainbow cactus, Golden rainbow hedgehog, Yellow Pitaya

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

USDA Symbol: ECDA

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The Texas rainbow cactus is oval at first, soon becoming cylindrical, and grows to 15 inches or so, with a 4-inch diameter. The stems commonly remain single, but old plants sometimes branch and form several heads. Each head has 12–21 narrow ribs. Fifteen to 25 spines grow out of the areoles, spreading widely and intertwining with those of other areoles. Flowers are about 3–6 inches long and are pale yellow to orange. Petals are quite long and pointed. Outer petals are sometimes tinged with magenta on the outside, and inner petals are streaked with green on the inside. The base of the petals is green. The stamens are cream– colored.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Size Notes: 8in high and 3-3¼in wide
Flower: Flower to 4 inhes long
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: flowers are diurnal

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Heat Tolerant: yes

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Desert landscape, Blooms ornamental
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-1040 Collected 2011-06-08 in Brewster County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles Glass
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

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Additional resources

USDA: Find Echinocereus dasyacanthus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Echinocereus dasyacanthus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinocereus dasyacanthus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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