Echinocereus occidentalis

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

Echinocereus occidentalis
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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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.[2] The stems have 12-19 ribs. The spines are whitish-yellow with dark tips.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2]

Subspecies

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There are two recognized subspecies:[1]

Image Scientific name Distribution
  Echinocereus occidentalis subsp. breckwoldtiorum De-Nova, Cast.-Lara & W.Blum Mexico (SW. Coahuila, N. Zacatecas)
  Echinocereus occidentalis subsp. occidentalis Mexico (E. Central Durango)

Distribution

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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

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  1. ^ a b "Echinocereus occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) W.Rischer, S.Breckw. & Breckw". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  2. ^ a b c d e 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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