Scientific Name
Echinocactus texensis Hopffer
Common Name(s)
Horse Crippler, Devil's Pincushion, Horse Crippler Cactus, Devil's Head, Candy Cactus
Synonym(s)
Echinocactus courantianus, Echinocactus lindheimeri, Echinocactus platycephalus, Homalocephala texensis
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Echinocactus
Origin
This species is native to southeast New Mexico and west, central, and south Texas.
Flower
Color: Rose-pink to pale silvery-pink
Bloom Time: Late spring
Description
Echinocactus texensis is a stout barrel cactus, solitary when young and very rarely slowly clustering in age. The stem is pale grey-green to grass green with numerous ribs, flat-topped, hemispheric in old age but usually deep-seated. It grows up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Spines are small but strong, pale tan, pink or reddish to grey. Flowers are up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long and in diameter, ranging from white thru rose-pink to pale silvery-pink, with red throats, and appear in late spring on plants around 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Overall, these are beautiful cacti for dish gardens or indoor displays. A collection of them is especially attractive, as they look like a collection of balls tossed upon the ground. However, it's critical never to let these cactus be exposed to prolonged periods in water or even high humidity. They will suffer from rot in the presence of moisture. In addition, Echinocactus are vulnerable to pests, including aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and whitefly. If possible, identify the infestation as early as possible and treat it with the leave toxic option.
It's best to repot at the beginning of the growing season or summer. To repot a cactus, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinocactus.
Links
- Back to genus Echinocactus
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
Photo Gallery
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