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E. pentalophus Puerto Rico, Hidalgo Co, Texas, USA
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Description:
In age it forms clumps
of up to 20 × 100 cm,
it is a very fine sight in bloom, having few equals within the genus
Echinocereus.
Stems: Erect or prostrate, branched
above ground, sprawling and decumbent,
reddish-purple to dark or yellowish-green. Stems are
weak, 2.5 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 4 to 6, with low tubercles;
Central spines: 0 or 1 central spine;
Radial spines: 4 or 7, short, brown, yellowish, tan or ashy
white, usually very stiff and straight.
Flowers: Huge, up to 12 cm long lilac,
brilliant pink or magenta with a distinct white throat can almost hide
the plant,
blossoms in mid April-may.
Fruiting: 3-4 months after
flowering. Fruits are green with white pulp.
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Stigma |
White-throated
flowers up to 12 cm long |
Photo of
conspecific
taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars
of
plants belonging to the
Echinocereus pentalophus
complex
(This
Taxon has lots of
synonyms (like most Echinocereus) with several
controversial varieties and subspecies):
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Echinocereus pentalophus
(DC.) Lemaire.
in:
Cactées, 56 (1868)
Origin: USA (Texas: S TX in Bexar (San Antonio),
N McMullen, and along Rio Grande in Starr, Hidalgo, to E Cameron.),
central-eastern Mexico (Hidalgo, Queretaro, E Guanajuato, SE Coahuila,
Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas).
Habitat:
On alluvial coastal plains [pine-oak forests] on
sandy grassy places associated with thorn scrub, Agave
lechuguilla-Hechtia on rock in limestone cliffs. From sea level to
ca.1400 m altitude;
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common Names: Lady Finger Cactus, Dog Tail, Alicoche.
Synonyms:
- Cereus pentalophus de Candolle
In: Mém.
Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 17: 117. 1828
- Cereus propinquus Salm-Dyck ex
Otto
In : All. Gartenz 1 :336 (1833)
- Cereus procumbens Engelm.
In : Mem. Amer. Acad. Ser 2, 4 :50, in adnot (1849)
- Echinocereus procunbens (Engelm.)
Lemaire, loc. cit. (1868)
- Echinocereus pentalphus var.
procumbens (Engelm.) P. Fournier
In: Cactées & Pl. Grasses, 25
(1935)
- Cereus penthalophus var. leptacanthus
Salm-Dyck 1849
- Echinocereus leptacanthus (Salm-Dyck)
K.Schum. 1898
- Echinocereus leonensis,
- Echinocereus pentalophus ssp. leonensis
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SUBSPECIES
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. pentalophus:
It has
a
stem that can be either prostrate or erect,
having 3 to 5 ribs and 3 to 7 spines per areole. It is the most common
subspecies. The stems are slightly thicker and lighter green than
the subspecies 'procumbens'.
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. Leonensis:
It has erect stems with 6
to 8 ribs and up to 9 spines per areole, and
is thicker than the other subspecies..
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. Procumbens:
It has stems that are semi-prostrate,
and the
thinnest of all the subspecies; a deeper green in color; with
4 to 5 ribs, and 5 to 7 spines per areole.
The flowers on all subspecies are Bright pink & magenta with white
or yellow throats |
It
has incredibly large and beautiful flowers almost hiding the plant.
Cultivation:
This cactus is widely
cultivated for its flowers,
it is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate. Indicated
for full sun exposure. Water regularly from March to October. Rot prone in winter, it needs good drainage, It should be kept in a cool place during winter rest (it
can
briefly tolerate temp. as low as -7°C). Without
this cool winter period these plants normally won't get many
buds. Cascading, clustering, great for a
hanging display. Stems may possibly become purple and limp in winter, but
revitalize in early spring.
Propagation: Seeds or cutting
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