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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Echinocereus enneacanthus (Pitaya)
Trout, Keeper

Echinocereus enneacanthus

Echinocereus enneacanthus Engelm.

Pitaya, Strawberry Cactus, Banana Cactus, Cob Cactus, Purple Pitaya, Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus, Prostrate Hedgehog Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ECEN2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

The cylindrical stems of the Strawberry Cactus are 3-30 inches long and 1 1/2-4 inches in diameter. They grow in loose clusters of a few to as many as 100. New stems grow as side branches, near the ground, so their first growth tends to be lateral, later turning upward, giving them a long, curling appearance. There are 7-10 ribs on each stem. The plant is bright green with a wrinkled appearance, looking withered in dry periods. The stems are often yellow-green in sunny locations. The tubercles are about 1/8 inch in diameter and 1/4-1 1/2 inches apart on mature stems. This cactus has fewer spines and shows more plant surface than most cacti. The purplish-red flowers are 2-3 inches long and about the same in diameter. They have 10-20 outer petals with pinkish, crinkled edges. The inner petals, 12-35, are in 1-3 rows. Anthers on the stamens are yellow, and the pistil has 8-12 lobes like most other Echinocereus species. The fruit is about 1 inch long, almost round, greenish to brown or purple.

 

From the Image Gallery

39 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: Less than 1'
Flower: Flowers 2-2 1/2 inches long

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , Jul
Bloom Notes: Diurnal.

Distribution

USA: NM , TX
Native Distribution: Southwest Texas, southern New Mexico and Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas) (Webref 6)

Growing Conditions

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

Benefit

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

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

Bibliography

Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles Glass
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 6 - Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database] (2018) USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2021-01-26
Research By: TWC Staff, Joseph A. Marcus

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