Native Plants
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.
Echinocereus reichenbachii
Echinocereus reichenbachii (Terscheck ex Walp.) hort ex Haage
Lace Hedgehog Cactus, Lace Cactus, Lace Hedgehog, Purple Candle
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ecre
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: 3-8 inches tall.
Flower: Pink or purple, with red centers and a satin-like sheen.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PinkBloom Time: May
Distribution
USA: CO , KS , NM , OK , TXNative Distribution: Southeast Colorado, southwest Kansas, west Oklahoma, east New Mexico, north, central and south Texas.
Native Habitat: Chihuahuan Desert grassland, scrubland, oak/pine woods.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight 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 landscapeConspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsSeed 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 on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Patsy Glenn Refuge, c/o Wimberley Birding Society - Wimberley, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Williamson County Chapter - Georgetown, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-PS-1 Collected 2009-05-26 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
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.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Echinocereus reichenbachii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Echinocereus reichenbachii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinocereus reichenbachii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-14Research By: TWC Staff