Texas
Wildbuds

Echinocereus stramineus

(Strawberry Cactus)

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Echinocereus stramineus, Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4565

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Echinocereus stramineus, HWY 118, Big Bend National Park 9903

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Echinocereus stramineus, HWY 118, Big Bend National Park 9918

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Echinocereus stramineus, Hot Springs Trail, Big Bend National Park 8239

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Echinocereus stramineus, Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4570

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Echinocereus stramineus, Madera Canyon, Hwy 170, Big Bend Ranch State Park 7751

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Echinocereus stramineus, Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park 4587

Scientific Name Echinocereus stramineus USDA PLANTS Symbol ECST2
Common Name Strawberry Cactus ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 912934
Family Cactaceae (Cactus) Flora of North America Ref. Click Here
Description Habitat: Desert environments; limestone rock outcrops in dry mountains and hillsides from 2500 to 5000 ft.
Plant: Clumps or dome-like mounds of 20 to 100+ branches, mounds up to 3 ft. across; stems densely covered with spines.
Pads & Spines: Stems erect, long ovoid, up to 12 inches long and 1-3/4 to 4 inches across; 11 to 17 ribs per stem; areoles 1/4 to 5/8-inch apart; 2 to 4 central spines 2 to 3-1/2 inches long and 7 to 10 shorter (3/4 to 1-1/4 inch long) radial spines per areole; spines straight, straw-colored and becoming translucent, glassy-looking.
Inflorescence: Many large magenta flowers 3-1/3 to 4-3/4 inches across; reddish filaments, yellow anthers; thick style supporting 10 to 13 green stigma lobes.
Bloom Period: March to May.
Fruit: Bristly reddish-brown, round to oval, 2 to 2-3/8 inches long.
References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell, "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey and Flora of North America
BONAP Distribution Map

Map Color Key
Texas Status:
Native

Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County

© Tom Lebsack 2024