BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Echinocereus coccineus
Size:
5 - 30 cm
CACTACEAE -- Cactus Family
Description:
Stems glabrous, cylindrical, 2.5 – 5 cm in
diameter, usually branching, often forming
dense mounds. Stems with 5 - 12 ribs, straight
or composed of a sequence of tubercles (conical
mounds). Central and radial spines similar.
Central spines 0 - 4, with an angular cross
section, 1 - 7 cm long. Radial spines 5 - 20,
with a round cross section. Flowers broadly
funnel-shaped, 3 - 10 cm long, 3 - 8 cm in
diameter, erupting through the skin below stem
tips. Stamens numerous. Stigma lobes 6 - 12,
green. Fruit somewhat spherical, juicy, with
spines. Fruit reddens with age, spines
deciduous.
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Common Name:
Claret cup cactus, hedgehog
Color:
Deep red
Notes:
The genus name Echinocereus comes from the
Greek echinos, “hedgehog” and cereus, a genus
of shrubby, ribbed cacti. Echinocereus cacti as
a group are referred to as hedgehogs. The genus
contains about 60 species. New Mexico has 11
species and a total of 18 varieties. The species
name coccineus is Latin for “deep red”. The
claret cup cacti, including E. coccineus and E.
triglochidiatus, have spectacular funnel-shaped
red flowers. The color and flower shape are
adaptations for pollination by hummingbirds,
unusual in cacti. Claret cup cactus blooms from
mid-May into June between 4000 and 9000 ft.
New Mexico Native