Native Plants
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Echinocereus viridiflorus
Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelm.
Nylon Hedgehog Cactus, Green Pitaya
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ECVI2
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
A small cactus with 1 cylindrical stem or several in a clump and yellowish-green or magenta flowers.
Pitaya (pronounced pee-tah-yah) is the phonetic spelling of the original Spanish name Pitahaya, a name given to species of Echinocereus but more broadly applied to a number of cacti that produce sweet, edible fruit.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Globular stems to 3 inches long, 3/4-2 inches thick, and 13-15 ribs.
Flower: Flowers up to 1 inch long and across.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Diurnal flowering.
Distribution
USA: CO , KS , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WYNative Distribution: Southeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota south to eastern New Mexico and western Texas.
Native Habitat: Dry plains and hills.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50 F.
Bibliography
Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles GlassSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Echinocereus viridiflorus in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Echinocereus viridiflorus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinocereus viridiflorus
Metadata
Record Modified: 2021-01-26Research By: TWC Staff