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E.
ingens ( = platyacanthus)
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The surface is broken into obtuse, tuberculate
and nice ribs when small, whilst large plants are heavily ribbed, the
number of ribs increases with maturity. |
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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
Echinocactus platyacanthus.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Echinocactus ingens Zuccarini ex Pfeiffer,
In: Enum. Diagn. Cact. 54., 1837
Distribution: Ranges over much of northeast and central
Mexico.
Note: Older specimens take on an
oblong
shape with age and can dominate a landscape because of their large size
and impressive bulk. They also tend to lean to the south or southwest so
that the spines can better protect the body of the plant from the harsh
desert sun. In fact, desert travelers can use the plant as a compass.
Vernacular Names: Biznaga Gigante, Biznaga de Dulce; Giant
Viznaga & Large Barrel
Synonyms:
- Echinocactus platyacanthus Link et Otto 1827
- Echinocactus karwinskii
- Echinocactus helophorus
- Echinocactus visnaga
- Echinocactus palmeri
- Echinocactus grandis
- Echinocactus ingens f. aulocogonus (Lemaire) Schelle,
Kakteen (Schelle) 189., 1926
- Echinocactus ingens f. helophorus K. Schumann
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
- Echinocactus ingens f. saltillensis K. Schumann
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
- Echinocactus ingens v. edulis Labouret,
Monographie de la Famille des Cactees 193, 1853
- Echinocactus ingens v. grandis
Monatsschrift fur Kakteenkunde 17: 116, 1907
- Echinocactus ingens v. irroratus Monville,
Monographie de la Famille des Cactees 191, 1853
- Echinocactus ingens v. subinermis K. Schumann
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
- Echinocactus ingens v. visnaga K. Schumann,
Gesamtbeschreibung der Kakteen 317, 1898
- Echinocactus ingens v. viznaga (Hook.) K. Schumann
Gesamtbeschr. Kakt. 317. as visnaga, 1898
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Description: It is a slowly growing massive
barrel cactus usually solitary that grows huge in habitat ( up to 2,5 m
tall, 1,5 m wide). It could live more than a hundred years. This cactus
is easily recognized by it's large size, being the largest of all barrel
cacti.
Stem:
Globular to cylindrical, , slightly flattened at the apex, grey-blue to
yellowish-green often with reddish accents. The center of the apex is
covered with yellowish felt.
Ribs:
6 to 48, The surface is broken into obtuse, tuberculate and nice ribs
when small, whilst large plants are heavily
ribbed.,
the number of ribs increases with maturity.
Areoles:
2,5-3 cm apart, elliptical covered with yellow felt, the areoles in old
specimen are sunken beneath a ridge of felt running down the ribs
forming a continuous line.
Spines:.
All straight, thick, rigid, about 2,5-3 cm long, black, brown or grey
with brown tips.
Radial spines:
6-8
Central spines:
1
Flowers:
Diurnal,
tubular, about 2 cm long, 3 cm broad, vivid yellow. Inner perianth
segments, linear-oblong, yellow entire, obtuse. Stigma lobes brick red,
about 8.
Blooming season:
From end of spring to summer only on larger mature
specimens
receiving enough
full sun.
Mature specimens often have a somewhat sway-backed, saddle-shaped apex,
densely covered in white wool, where their flowers emerge.
Fruit: Ovoid 3 cm long, copiously covered by wool coming from the
axil of the scales.
Seeds: large, black, shining, reniform.
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Note: The juvenile Echinocactus look very
different from the mature specimens. In fact like the other Echinocactus
and Ferocactus seedlings, the rib structure is not yet apparent, and
they have pronounced tubercles.
Economical uses: This plants is used to
prepare a traditional candy, the pith is boiled with sugar to produce a
popular sweet called “dulce de biznaga” or "acitrón". In this case the
overcollection of wild plant for making cactus candy is the major threat
to the survival of this species.
This plants were also used by indigenous peoples of Mexico in many
manner, for example the woolly hairs this plant produces have been used
as filling fibres and weaving.
Culture:
Frost tender but
resistant to -4°C for short periods;
Cold hardiness increases with improved
drainage, so keep plants as dry as possible in
winter. They grow best in well-drained soil and a position in
full sun, which will help to maintain the lustre of the spines and
longevity of the flowers. Provide the plant with extremely
well-drained soils, as the plant are subject to
crown and
soft rot if it remains too moist. Besides, it performs wonderfully
in containers,
Container media should be coarse as well. Young plants are
prone to
mealy bug and
red spider mite. Propagate from seed.
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