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Echinocereus reichenbachii (Lace hedgehog cactus)
Flaigg, Norman G.

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.

 

From the Image Gallery

47 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: 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: Pink
Bloom Time: May

Distribution

USA: CO , KS , NM , OK , TX
Native 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: Low
Light 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 landscape
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Deer Resistant: High

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Seed 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 Center

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

Bibliography

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-03-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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