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Native Plant Database

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Echinocereus viridiflorus (Green pitaya)
Thibodeau, Frank

Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelm.

Green Pitaya, Nylon hedgehog cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

USDA Symbol: ECVI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

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.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Size Notes: Globular stems to 3in long, 3/4-2in thick, and 13-15 ribs.
Flower: Flowers up to 1 inch long and scross.
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Diurnal flowering.

Distribution

USA: CO , KS , NE , NM , OK , SD , TX , WY
Native Distribution: Southeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota south to eastern New Mexico and western Texas.
Native Habitat: Dry plains and hills.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Conditions Comments: Minimum temperature 50 F.

Bibliography

Bibref 1140 - Cacti (1991) Clive Innes and Charles Glass

Search More Titles in Bibliography

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

Metadata

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

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