Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus platyacanthus
Echinocactus platyacanthus is a flowering plant in the genus Echinocactus from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). The specific epithet platyacanthus means ' with broad spikes ' (from the Greek platys: wide). Spanish common names are " biznaga de Dulce " and " biznaga Gigante ". Echinocactus platyacanthus is the largest Kugelkakteenart.
Description
Echinocactus platyacanthus grows with almost spherical, broadly columnar - to barrel-shaped, green to yellowish green, sometimes glauken instincts and reaches diameters of 40 to 80 centimeters in stature heights of 50 to 250 centimeters. Is 5 to 60 ( and more) present fins. The shape and form of large, stiff, somewhat flattened, quergefurchten, yellowish to reddish spines, which are blackish later, depends on their age. The four slightly curved central spines are often arranged crosswise and 5 to 10 inches long. The lower central spine is often larger than the other. The 8 to 10 radial spines are 3 to 4 inches long.
The numerous flowers appear from the yellow crown wool. You can reach diameter 5-7 cm. The dry at maturity, oblong, yellow fruits are covered with scales, wool and hair and have a perennial flower rest.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
The distribution area of Echinocactus platyacanthus extends from Southern to Central Mexico.
The first description by Heinrich Friedrich Link and Christoph Friedrich Otto was published in 1827. A synonym is, among other Echinocactus ingens Zucc. ex Pfeiff. (1837 ).
In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN is the species as " Near Threatened (NT) ", ie out to be low risk.
Use
The woolly hair apex were used as packing material, and for weaving.