Echinocereus occidentalis

Echinocereus occidentalis is a species of cactus native to Mexico.[1]

Echinocereus occidentalis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Echinocereus
Species:
E. occidentalis
Binomial name
Echinocereus occidentalis
(N.P.Taylor) W.Rischer, S.Breckw. & Breckw., 2009 publ. 2008
Synonyms
  • Echinocereus stramineus subsp. occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) N.P.Taylor 1997
  • Echinocereus stramineus var. occidentalis N.P.Taylor 1988

Description

Echinocereus occidentalis stems form clumps, are cylindrical and erect, light green, and measure up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter and 30 cm (12 in) in height. The stems have 12-19 ribs. The spines are whitish-yellow with dark tips. There are 9-13 radial spines, each 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) long, and 1-5 central spines, each 40–55 mm (1.6–2.2 in) long. The flowers are magenta with a light center, measuring 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in) in both length and width. The fruits are round, pinkish-red, 30 mm (1.2 in) in diameter, with white to pink pulp and black seeds.

Subspecies

There are two recognized subspecies:[1]

ImageScientific nameDistribution
Echinocereus occidentalis subsp. breckwoldtiorum De-Nova, Cast.-Lara & W.BlumMexico (SW. Coahuila, N. Zacatecas)
Echinocereus occidentalis subsp. occidentalisMexico (E. Central Durango)

Distribution

Plants are found growing in south-western Coahuila, central to eastern Durango, and northern Zacatecas at elevations of 800–1,800 m (2,600–5,900 ft). Plants grow in limestone soil in desert shrub.[2]

References
  1. "Echinocereus occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) W.Rischer, S.Breckw. & Breckw". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  2. Nova, Arturo De; Castillo-Lara, Pedro; Blum, Wolfgang (2015-10-01). "First description and status change: A new subspecies of Echinocereus occidentalis in Coahuila". ResearchGate. pp. 3–11. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
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