E. pentalophus Puerto Rico, Hidalgo Co, Texas, USA
Incredibly large and beautiful flowers almost hiding the plant
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Etymology:
The generic name "Echinocereus" derives from the Greek word
“Echinos” meaning "porcupine or hedgehog", "sea urchin”. and the
Latin word “Cereus” (large wax candle) columnar cactus. The
specific name "Penthalophus" derives from the Greek words
“penta” meaning "five" and "Lophos"
meaning "crest or ridge |
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Description:
In age it forms clumps
of up to 20 × 100 cm,
it is a very fine sight in bloom, having few equals within the genus
Echinocereus.
Stems: Erect or prostrate, branched
above ground, sprawling and decumbent,
reddish-purple to dark or yellowish-green. Stems are
weak, 2.5 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 4 to 6, with low tubercles;
Central spines: 0 or 1 central spine;
Radial spines: 4 or 7, short, brown, yellowish, tan or ashy
white, usually very stiff and straight.
Flowers: Huge, up to 12 cm long lilac,
brilliant pink or magenta with a distinct white throat can almost hide
the plant,
blossoms in mid April-may.
Fruiting: 3-4 months after
flowering. Fruits are green with white pulp. |
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SUBSPECIES
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. pentalophus:
It has a
stem
that can be either prostrate or erect, having 3 to 5 ribs and 3 to 7
spines per areole. It is the most common subspecies. The stems are slightly thicker
and lighter green than the subspecies 'procumbens'.
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. Leonensis:
It has erect
stems with 6 to 8 ribs and up to 9 spines per areole, and is thicker than
the other subspecies..
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. Procumbens:
It has stems
that are semi-prostrate, and the
thinnest of all the subspecies; a deeper
green in color; with 4 to 5 ribs, and 5 to 7 spines per areole.
The flowers on all subspecies are Bright pink & magenta with white
or yellow throats
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Cultivation:
This cactus is widely
cultivated for its flowers,
it is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate. Indicated
for full sun
exposure.
Water regularly from
March to October.
Rot prone in winter,
it needs good drainage,
It should be kept in a cool place during winter rest (it
can
briefly tolerate temp. as low as -7°C).
Without
this cool winter period these plants normally won't get many
buds. Cascading, clustering,
great for a
hanging display. Stems may possibly become purple and limp in winter, but
revitalize in early spring. |
Photo of conspecific
taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars
of
plants belonging to the
Echinocereus pentalophus
complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms
(like most Echinocereus) with several controversial varieties and subspecies):
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Echinocereus pentalophus
(DC.) Lemaire.
in:
Cactées, 56 (1868)
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Origin: USA (Texas: S TX in Bexar (San Antonio),
N McMullen, and along Rio Grande in Starr, Hidalgo, to E Cameron.),
central-eastern Mexico (Hidalgo, Queretaro, E Guanajuato, SE Coahuila,
Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas).
Habitat:
On alluvial coastal plains [pine-oak forests] on
sandy grassy places associated with thorn scrub, Agave
lechuguilla-Hechtia on rock in limestone cliffs. From sea level to
ca.1400 m altitude;
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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Common Names:
- Lady Finger Cactus
- Dog Tail
- Alicoche.
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Synonyms:
- Cereus pentalophus de Candolle, Mém.
Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 17: 117. 1828
- Cereus propinquus Salm-Dyck ex
Otto in : All. Gartenz 1 :336 (1833)
- Cereus procumbens Engelm. In :
Mem. Amer. Acad. Ser 2, 4 :50, in adnot (1849)
- Echinocereus procunbens (Engelm.)
Lemaire, loc. cit. (1868)
- Echinocereus pentalphus var.
procumbens (Engelm.) P. Fournier, Cactées &Pl.Grasses, 25
(1935)
- Cereus penthalophus var. leptacanthus
Salm-Dyck 1849
- Echinocereus leptacanthus (Salm-Dyck)
K.Schum. 1898
- Echinocereus leonensis,
- Echinocereus pentalophus ssp. leonensis
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White-throated
flowers up to 12 cm long |
Stigma |
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 