Echinocereus nicholii

Common Name: Golden Hedgehog Cactus
Oˊodham Name: [unknown]
Group: Cacti － Desert

Description

Echinocereus nicholii is the golden spined hedgehog cactus growing throughout the southern Oˊodham lands, especially in the west, between 1000 and 3000 ft elevation. In May, it produces 2 inch diameter pink flowers, which are followed by spiny fruit. This species has brilliant golden spines, in contrast with the off-white or gray spines of Echinocereus engelmannii.

entire plant
stem with spines

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Caryophyllidae

Order Caryophyllales

Family Cactaceae － Cactus family

Genus Echinocereus Engelm. － hedgehog cactus

Species Echinocereus nicholii (L.D. Benson) Parfitt － Nicholˊs hedgehog cactus

More Information

USDA Plant Profile and Map