Echinocereus engelmannii
Echinocereus engelmannii
Echinocereus engelmannii is a species in the genus Echinocereus from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet honors the engelmannii American botanist George Engelmann. Trivial names are " Calico Cactus ", " Dagger -Spine Hedgehog ", " Engelmann 's Hedgehog", "Indian Strawberry Hedgehog ", " Needle -Spine Hedgehog", "Purple- Spined Hedgehog Cactus" and "Strawberry Hedgehog".
Description
Echinocereus engelmannii grows from the base branching and forms open to compact groups with up to 60 drives, form the diameter to nearly 1 meter. The cylindrical, green, largely concealed by the dense spines shoots reach with diameters from 3.8 to 8.7 centimeters in stature heights of 5 to 60 centimeters. There are ten to 13 hardly gehöckerte ribs available. The thorns are very variable in size and color. The two-to seven -edged, sharp until pliable, straight up twisted, usually spreading central spines are up to 7 inches long. Six to 14 tight on the drive surface spines have a length of up to 2 centimeters.
The short funnel-shaped flowers are a bit purple to magenta to lavender and appear in the upper half of the shoots. They are up to 9 inches long and achieve just such diameter. The red, juicy and edible fruits are occupied up to 3 inches long and with areolae that drop.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
Echinocereus engelmannii is widespread in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico from sea level to altitudes of up to 2400 meters.
The first description as Cereus engelmannii in 1852 by George Engelmann. Charles Lemaire presented the type 1868 in the genus Echinocereus.
We distinguish the following varieties:
- Echinocereus engelmannii var acicularis Benson
- Echinocereus engelmannii var armatus Benson
- Echinocereus engelmannii var chrysocentrus Engelm. & Bigelow
- Echinocereus engelmannii var engelmannii
- Echinocereus engelmannii var HOWEI Benson
- Echinocereus engelmannii var munzii ( Parish ) Pierce & Fosberg
- Echinocereus engelmannii var purpureus Benson
- Echinocereus engelmannii var variegatus Engelm. & Bigelow
In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, the type is known as " Least Concern ( LC) ," ie, than not led at risk.
Use
The fruits are eaten locally as a fruit.