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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm.

Claret Cup, Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus, Kingcup Cactus, Mojave Mound, Mohave Mound

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: ectr

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

One of the most attractive hedgehog cacti is the Claret Cup, which grows in clumps as much as 3-4 feet across but usually smaller. The bright red-orange flowers often cover the whole plant, which is cylindrical and low-growing, often hugging up against some larger plant. The numerous flowers grow at the top of the stems, all about the same height, giving a full view of all the flowers at one glance. They last for several days. The flowers vary slightly in color as a result of soil type or genetic differences.

Among the most beautiful cacti; large plants with many stems in full flower make breathtaking mounds of scarlet. Stems are highly variable, often with two strikingly different forms growing in the same area.

From the Image Gallery

39 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Stems may reach 10 inches in length and 4 inches in diameter.
Flower: Flowers up to 3 inches in diameter.
Fruit: Red 1 inch.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red , Orange
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , TX , UT
Native Distribution: Se. California; east to s. Utah, c. Colorado, and w. Texas; south into n. Mexico.
Native Habitat: Rocky desert slopes, or dry woodland in mountains.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: They favor, but are not restricted to, soils of volcanic origins.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
NPSOT - Fredericksburg Chapter - Fredericksburg, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1141 - Cactuses of Big Bend National Park (1998) Evans, Douglas B.
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
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 triglochidiatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Echinocereus triglochidiatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Echinocereus triglochidiatus

Metadata

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

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