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Echinocereus reichenbachii (Lace cactus)
Flaigg, Norman G.

Echinocereus reichenbachii (Terscheck ex Walp.) Haage f.

Lace Cactus, Lace hedgehog cactus, Órgano-pequeño de colores , Purple candle

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

USDA Symbol: ECRE

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Like other cylindrical cacti, lace cactus starts out as a sphere and gradually evolves its cylindrical form as it matures. This little plant rarely grows taller than 8 inches and is 2–3 inches across. The outer spines vary from 12 to 36 and are flattened against the stem. The central spines vary from none to 6 and project outward. The flowers are brilliant purple or rose-pink, 2–5 inches tall and almost as wide. There are 30–50 petals with ragged edges, sometimes notched. The base of the petals is usually reddish-brown. Stamens are cream-colored to yellow, and the pistil has many dark-green lobes, varying in number with each flower.

Lace cactus is unpredictable in its development, one plant forming a single stem, while its neighbor may branch out and form a dozen or more. It has 10–20 narrow ribs.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: 3-8 inches tall.
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink
Bloom Time: May

Distribution

USA: CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native Habitat: North and Central Texas. Rocky, well-drained caliche, sand, limestone.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: well drained gravelly clay, rock outcropping with soil pockets, caliche

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Desert landscape
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Seed Collection: Collect seed when fruits start to dry and shrivel.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge - Wimberley, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-PS-1 Collected 2009-05-26 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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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.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-10-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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