Echinocactus polycephalus
Echinocactus polycephalus
Echinocactus polycephalus is a flowering plant in the genus Echinocactus from the cactus family ( Cactaceae ). Foreign language common names are " biznaga de Chilitos ", "Cotton Top Cactus ," " Harem Cactus ", " Many- Headed Barrel Cactus " and " Woolly -Headed Cactus".
Description
Echinocactus polycephalus grows mostly clumping and forming clots with spherical to cylindrical stems that reach heights of growth of 30 to 60 centimeters in diameters 10 to 20 centimeters. There are 13 to 21 ribs available. The 4 reddish to slightly purple, irregularly spread central spines become gray with age. The lowest of them is slightly bent downward, the rest are more or less straight and strong cross- banded. The central spines are 6 to 7.5 inches long. The 6-8 irregularly spreading radial spines are similar to the central spines and are 3 to 4.5 inches long.
The yellow flowers have a pink center strip. They reach a length of 5 centimeters and just such diameter. The dry when ripe fruits are covered with white hairs and 1.2 to 2 inches long.
Distribution, systematics and hazard
The distribution area of Echinocactus polycephalus extends from the southern United States to northern Mexico. The first description was published in 1856 by George Engelmann and John Milton Bigelow. We distinguish the following sub- types:
- Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. polycephalus
- Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. xeranthemoides ( J.M.Coult. ) N.P.Taylor
A synonym of Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. polycephalus is Echinocactus polycephalus var flavispina F.Haage ex Quehl (1899 ).
In the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN, the type is known as " Least Concern ( LC) ," ie, than not led at risk.