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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus
(Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog Cactus) Cactaceae (Cactus Family) Semi-desert. Woodlands, openings. Spring. This is one of Betty's favorite flowers. There are several dozen species of Echinocereus cactus in the Southwest, but just two in Colorado. The very common and quite conspicuous species, Echinocereus triglochidiatus, has a number of varieties, including a spineless one. All Echinocereus triglochidiatus have many pleated light green massed barrels, and typical specimens are six to fourteen inches tall and twelve to twenty inches long and wide. The long, tubular, brilliant scarlet flowers make this a favorite of desert plant lovers. The beauty pictured at left is about a foot tall and wide. "Echinos" is Greek for "Hedgehog" (a critter similar to a Porcupine) and "triglochidiatus" is Greek for "three spined" -- although there are more than three spines arising from each spine growth point (areole). |
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring. |
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring. |
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring. |
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring. This long-spined Claret Cup growing in lava has numerous flower buds promising a beautiful May blooming. In recent years this species has been reexamined and it is probable that the pictured plant is now called Echinocereus coccineus.
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring.
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Echinocereus
triglochidiatus (Claret Cup Cactus, Hedgehog
Cactus) Semi-desert, foothills.
Woodlands, openings Spring. New spines are soft and yellow, red, and black.
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