Echinocereus dasyacanthus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Ordo: Caryophyllales

Familia: Cactaceae
Subfamilia: Cactoideae
Tribus: Echinocereeae
Genus: Echinocereus
Sectio: E. sect. Erecti
Species: Echinocereus dasyacanthus
Subspecies: E. d. subsp. ctenoides – E. d. subsp. dasyacanthus – E. d. subsp. multispinosus – E. d. subsp. rectispinus
Name

Echinocereus dasyacanthus Engelm., 1848
Synonyms

Cereus dasyacanthus Engelm., Pl. Fendler.: 50. 1849 syn. sec. Kew WCVP (2019)
Echinocereus pectinatus var. dasyacanthus (Engelm.) W.H.Earle ex N.P.Taylor in Kew Mag. 1: 179. 1984 syn. sec. Tropicos

Hybrids

E. × roetteri

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: America
Regional: North America
Mexico (Chihuahua, - Coahuila), United States (New Mexico, - Texas)

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Engelmann, G. 1848. Botanical Appendix. In: Wislizenus, F.A.: Memoir of a Tour to Northern Mexico: Connected with Col. Doniphan's Expedition, in 1846 and 1847, pp. 87–115. Tippin & Streeper, Washington. BHL Reference page. : 100.

Additional references

Korotkova, N., Aquino, D., Arias, S., Eggli, U., Franck, A. , Gómez-Hinostrosa, C., Guerrero, P.C., Hernández, H.M., Kohlbecker, A., Köhler, M., Luther, K., Majure, L.C., Müller, A., Metzing, D., Nyffeler, R., Sánchez, D., Schlumpberger, B. & Berendsohn, W.G. 2021. Cactaceae at Caryophyllales. org–a dynamic online species-level taxonomic backbone for the family. Willdenowia 51(2): 251–270. DOI: 10.3372/wi.51.51208 Open access Reference page.

Links

Korotkova, N. et al. 2021. Echinocereus dasyacanthus in Cactaceae at Caryophyllales.org. A global synthesis of species diversity in the angiosperm order Caryophyllales. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Dec 09. Reference page.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2021. Echinocereus dasyacanthus in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Dec 09. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2021. Echinocereus dasyacanthus. Published online. Accessed: Dec 09 2021.
Tropicos.org 2021. Echinocereus dasyacanthus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 09 Dec 2021.
Hassler, M. 2021. Echinocereus dasyacanthus. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2021. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2021 Dec 09. Reference page.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Echinocereus dasyacanthus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
English: spiny hedgehog cactus
español: Órgano-pequeño arcoiris de Texas

Echinocereus dasyacanthus is a member of the cactus family, Cactaceae. It is one of about 2000 total species belonging to this family. The cactus is commonly known as Texas rainbow cactus because of the subtle rings or bands of contrasting colors along the stem of the plant. Not all Texas rainbow cacti have the "rainbow" coloration on their stems. Another common name is spiny hedgehog cactus.

E. dasyacanthus can be identified as a tetraploid with predominantly yellow flowers. Experiments suggest this is due to the hybridization of E. dasyacanthus and E. coccineus. The E. dasyacanthus received its specific epithet from the two Greek words dasys and akantha, which mean "shaggy" and "thorns" respectively.[1]

Description

Echinocereus dasyacanthus plants are usually found with a single stem or 2-3 basal branches. Though it is not uncommon to find plants with 3-10 stems. The stems of Texas rainbow cactus are between 11–24 cm long and 5.5–7 cm wide and usually have 15-18 ribs. The spines usually overlap making the stem not visible. There is a great amount of variation in the spines characteristics. There are typically 4-12 central spines that are .5-1.2 cm long and 14-25 radial spines that are .7–2 cm long. The basic coloration of the spines are tan to yellow to pink. Some spines may be ashy-white to reddish brown, but that is less common.[1]
Flowers
Flower of E. dasyacanthus or Texas Rainbow Cactus

The flowering season for E. dasyacanthus is between the months of March and May. The large flower of the plant grow at the sides of the stem above the areoles close to the stem apex. The flowers are typically 8–12 cm long and 7–11 cm wide. The flowers smell sweet and are pollinated by bees. In the Trans-Pecos region of Texas the flowers are usually bright yellow with a green throat. Other color the flowers may be include dark to pale yellow, canary yellow, golden yellow or deep red to rose pink. Since this taxon of cacti are mostly yellow flowered, flowers that are beta cyanic and orange are less common. The tepals are relatively thick and durable compared to E. reichenbachii, but thin and soft compared to E. coccineus. The stamens of the flowers have filaments resulting in the floral throat being filled with a funnel of yellow anthers.[1]
Fruits
Texas Rainbow Cactus

The fruits of E. dasyacanthus are usually green or greenish purple at first. As they mature the fruits become a darker purple. The pulp is very juicy and can be white to purplish-pink in color. The fruit are globose to ellipsoid and relatively large measuring at 6 cm long and 4.5 cm wide. The spines on the fruit are deciduous.[1]
Distribution

Echinocereus dasyacanthus can be found on rocky slopes of arid mountains, desert floor, in desert grasslands and more mesic habitats. They are distributed throughout New Mexico and Texas. It occurs in every county of Texas's Trans-Pecos region except for Val Verde. Texas rainbow cactus can also be spotted as far south as Chihuahua, and Coahuila, Mexico.[1]
Cultivation

Echinocereus dasyacanthus is cultivated as an ornamental plant, for use in desert native plant natural landscaping, or as a house plant and in a greenhouse. As the Texas Rainbow cactus is a smaller cacti species, it can be easier to care for.

Growing conditions

Texas Rainbow Cactus

Texas rainbow cactus requires little to no maintenance for growing. It requires little water and a lot of sunlight to partial shade. It can grow in soil or rocky sandy substrate. Seeds of Texas rainbow cactus will germinate between 5–180 days.
References

Powell, A. Michael (2008). Cacti of Texas A Field Guide. Texas Tech University Press. pp. 144–147.