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