Echinocereus pacificus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Echinocereus pacificus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinocereus |
| Species: | E. pacificus |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinocereus pacificus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Echinocereus pacificus is a species of cactus native to Mexico.
Subspecies
Echinocereus pacificus grows solitary, in clumps of 30–60 cm (12–24 in) in diameter containing around 100 stems. Stems are cylindrical to elongated shoots 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long, with 10 to 12 ribs and a 4 to 5, strong, upright central spine that is white or light gray with a darker tip, measuring 25 mm (0.98 in) in length. Additionally, there are 10 to 12 spreading, straight, whitish or grayish radial spines that are 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) long. The flowers of are cup-shaped and deep red orange and 2.5 to 4 cm (0.98 to 1.57 in) in diameter. They appear in the upper half of the shoots. The spherical, fleshy fruits are spiny, 1.2 to 1.6 mm (0.047 to 0.063 in) long.[2] Chromosome count is 4n=44[3]
There are two recognized subspecies:[4]
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
 | Echinocereus pacificus subsp. mombergerianus (G.Frank) W.Blum, W.Rischer & Rutow | Mexico (N. Baja California) |
 | Echinocereus pacificus subsp. pacificus | Mexico (NW. Baja California) |
Distribution
Plants are found growing on granite slopes and xeric scrub in Baja California, Mexico at elevations around 110 to 2600 meters. Plants are found growing along with Adenostoma fasciculatum, Stipa speciosa, Arctostaphylos peninsularis, Dudleya pulverulenta, Lotus rigidus, Nolina microcarpa, Pinus monophylla, Rhamnus crocea, Opuntia phaeacantha, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, Pinus quadrifolia, Ferocactus viridescens and Malosma laurina.[5]
Echinocereus pacificus subsp. pacificus in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
Echinocereus pacificus subsp. mombergerianus growing in San Pedro Mártir, Baja California, Mexico
