Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus, Cabeza de Viejo
Synonym: Cereus pectinatus v. rigidissimus, Echinocereus pectinatus v. rigidissimus
Family: Cactaceae
 Show Larger Picture Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rubispinus 'Ruby Rainbow' |
Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 9b-11 USDA: 9-12 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 23° F (-5°C) Minimum Avg. Temperature: 50°F (10°C) Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade Origin: USA (southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico), Mexico (northern Sonora, northwestern Chihuahua) Growth Habits: Solitary, up to 8 inches tall (20 cm), 1.6 to 4 inches wide (4-10 cm), 16-22 ribs; no central spines; 16 to 22 stiff pectinate radials, grey to reddish brown, close to the stem, 0.6 inch long (15 mm) Watering Needs: Rot easily, needs good drainage to avoid rotting Propagation: Seeds |
Blooming Habits:
Intense pink flowers with much lighter throat, 2.4 to 2.8 inches long (6-7 cm), up to 3.6 inches in diameter (9 cm). It blooms in May. The globose fruits are very spiny, 1.2 inches in diameter. The seeds are black and tuberculate, 1.5 mm diameter.
Fruiting Habits:
Occasional large (2.5 inches/7 cm), pink flowers with a white throat, in early summer.
References:
Las Cactaceas de Mexico
Gardening in Arizona Home Page |
List of All the Plants |
More in the Cactaceae family © 2004 Philippe Faucon, All Rights Reserved. |