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.

Trout, Keeper

Glandulicactus uncinatus var. wrightii

Glandulicactus uncinatus (Galeotti) Backeb. var. wrightii (Engelm.) Backeb.

Chihuahuan Fishhook Cactus, Brown-flowered Hedgehog Cactus, Catclaw Cactus

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s): Sclerocactus uncinatus var. wrightii

USDA Symbol: GLUNW

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

This Hedgehog Cactus is oval shaped, up to 8 inches tall and 4 inches across but usually much smaller. It has 13 high, conspicuous ribs, separated by broad grooves. The surface is bluish-green. There are 7 or 8 heavy spines at each areole. The upper 4 are straight and flattened, about 1-2 inches long, but the lower ones are somewhat shorter and nearly round, curved at the tips. There is 1 central spine, 2-4 inches long, very heavy, and often twisted and hooked at the tip. Flowers are maroon to reddish-brown, funnel-shaped, up to 1 1/4 inches long and about 1 inch across. The petals are sometimes slightly pointed at the tip; others are squared off. The pistil is brown, with 19 or more broad lobes which are cream-colored above and maroon below. Stamens are yellow.

The variety name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector but mainly in Texas (1837-1852), Cuba and his native Connecticut.

From the Image Gallery

76512

30 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery