Badmin: /* Species */

2026-04-08T20:11:46Z

Species

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:11, 8 April 2026
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	* [[Echinocactus polycephalus]]		* [[Echinocactus polycephalus]]
	** [[Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. xeranthemoides]]		** [[Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. xeranthemoides]]
	* [[Echinocactus texensis]] (Horse Crippler; formerly ''Homalocephala'')

	== Taxonomy and Evolution ==		== Taxonomy and Evolution ==

Badmin: Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Echinocactus | image = Echinocactus_platyacanthus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Echinocactus''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Note: ''E. grusonii'' has been moved to ''Kroenleinia''. }} == Etymology == Derived from the Greek ''echinos'' (hedgehog or sea-urchin), referring to the globose shape of these plants, which are heavily armed with stout spine..."

2026-04-03T17:16:05Z

Created page with "{{Taxobox | name = Echinocactus | image = Echinocactus_platyacanthus.jpg | kingdom = Plantae | family = Cactaceae | subfamily = Cactoideae | tribe = Cacteae | genus = '''Echinocactus''' | notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Note: ''E. grusonii'' has been moved to ''Kroenleinia''. }} == Etymology == Derived from the Greek ''echinos'' (hedgehog or sea-urchin), referring to the globose shape of these plants, which are heavily armed with stout spine..."

New page

{{Taxobox
| name = Echinocactus
| image = Echinocactus_platyacanthus.jpg
| kingdom = [[Plantae]]
| family = [[Cactaceae]]
| subfamily = [[Cactoideae]]
| tribe = [[Cacteae]]
| genus = '''Echinocactus'''
| notes = Taxonomy follows Joël Lodé (2015). Note: ''E. grusonii'' has been moved to ''Kroenleinia''.
}}

== Etymology ==
Derived from the Greek ''echinos'' (hedgehog or sea-urchin), referring to the globose shape of these plants, which are heavily armed with stout spines.

== Description ==
'''Echinocactus''' is a genus of large, globose to shortly columnar cacti. They are known for being exceptionally robust, often with flattened apices densely covered in protective wool.
* '''Stems:''' Can have up to 60 ribs. The areoles are large and elongated, often becoming confluent (merging) in older specimens. Unlike some related genera, they lack nectar glands.
* '''Spines:''' Very stout and strong, with a clear differentiation between central and radial spines.
* '''Flowers:''' Diurnal and self-sterile, emerging from the woolly apex. They are typically yellow or pink and bell-shaped. Interestingly, while most are pollinated by bees, some species (like ''E. horizonthalonius'') are reported to be visited by bats.
* '''Fruits:''' Globose to elongated, densely covered in scales and wool. They can be fleshy or dry when ripe.
* '''Seeds:''' Generally very large and black.

== Habitat ==
Echinocactus species thrive in extremely diverse and harsh environments, from low desert plains at 30 m to mountain woodlands at 2200 m altitude. They grow on limestone, rocky slopes, and mineral-rich sandy soils across the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.

== Distribution ==
* '''Mexico:''' Widespread in the northern and central states (Chihuahua, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Zacatecas, etc.).
* '''USA:''' Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah.

== Species ==
Following the taxonomic revision by Joël Lodé (2014), the genus is restricted to 5 primary species (excluding the former ''E. grusonii''):

* [[Echinocactus horizonthalonius]] (Eagle's Claw)
* [[Echinocactus parryi]]
* [[Echinocactus platyacanthus]] (Giant Visnaga; syn. ''E. ingens'')
* [[Echinocactus polycephalus]]
** [[Echinocactus polycephalus subsp. xeranthemoides]]
* [[Echinocactus texensis]] (Horse Crippler; formerly ''Homalocephala'')

== Taxonomy and Evolution ==
The genus has undergone significant changes due to molecular studies (Bárcenas et al., 2011; Hernández-Hernández et al., 2011):
* '''Kroenleinia:''' The famous "Golden Barrel" (*E. grusonii*) was found to be more closely related to ''Ferocactus'' and was moved to the genus [[Kroenleinia]] by Lodé.
* '''Polyphyly:''' Despite looking similar, the genus is polyphyletic. Species like ''E. polycephalus'' and ''E. parryi'' remain "conflicting taxa" that may require further reassignment.
* '''Hybrid Origin:''' Evidence suggests that some species might have a hybrid origin (reticulate evolution) between ''Ferocactus'' and ''Echinocactus'' lineages.

[[Category:Cactaceae]]
[[Category:Cactoideae]]
[[Category:Cacteae]]

Echinocactus - Revision history

Badmin: /* Species */