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Cliffe, Harry

Echinocactus horizonthalonius

Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem.

Devilshead, Eagle Claws, Turk's Head, Devil's Head

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: echo

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Although mostly a plant of the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico and Texas, Devilshead is also found in far south Arizona (the nicholii variety), in and around Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, where specimens are generally larger than in the east - up to 12 inches tall. Six inches is more typical. The attractive, slow growing species has broad ribs bearing clusters of (5 to 8) radial spines growing close to the body, and a curved central spine pointing downwards, giving a generally stout, compact appearance. The greenish-gray surface is not obscured by the spines. Bright pink flowers form at the top in early summer, growing out of a dense mat of woolly hairs.

Description provided courtesy of The American Southwest.

From the Image Gallery

55 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Globular plant up to 1 foot in height, 1 feet 3 inches diameter.
Flower: Rose pink, with a reddish center.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Pink
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep
Bloom Notes: Diurnal flowering.

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: South Arizona (Pinal and Pima counties), south New Mexico, west Texas.
Native Habitat: Arid limestone terraces and hillsides, up to 5,000 feet elevation.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-PM-14 Collected 2006-10-20 in Presidio County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

1 collection(s) available in the Wildflower Center Seed Bank

Bibliography

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

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 15 - The American Southwest (1994) John Crossley

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2013-07-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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