Texas Rainbow Hedgehog, Yellow pitaya
Synonym: Cereus dasyacanthus, Cereus ctenoides, Echinocereus ctenoides, Echinocereus hildmannii, Echinocereus pectinatus var. dasyacanthus, Echinocereus pectinatus var. neomexicanus, Echinocereus rigidissimus var. neomexicanus
Family: Cactaceae
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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 9b-11 USDA: 8b-10 Frost Tolerance: Hardy in Phoenix Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade Origin: Southern USA (Texas, New Mexico), northern Mexico Growth Habits: Cylindrical cactus, branching from the base, very spiny, 4 to 8 (to 16) inches tall (10-20-40 cm), 2 to 4 inches diameter (5-10 cm); 15 to 21 straight ribs; areoles 0.1 to 0.2 inch apart (3-5 mm); 3 to 10 central spines, up to 0.6 inch long (15 mm); 16 to 24 radials, up to 0.4 inch long (1 cm) Watering Needs: Little water when established Propagation: Offsets, seeds |
Echinocereus ctenoides, now included in E. dasyacanthus, used to be distinguished from E dasyacanthus by its central spines in one line.
Blooming Habits:
Abundant yellow to pink flowers in April-May, 4 inches long (10 cm). The outer petals have often a darker or reddish midstripe. The stigma has 16-20 lobes. The spiny fruits are edible, although acid. The seeds are tuberculate, black.
References:
Las Cactaceas de Mexico
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