Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus
(Rusty Hedgehog Cactus)
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3552
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3651
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3565
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3556
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3644
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Cattail Falls Trail, Big Bend National Park 3645
Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus, Pine Canyon Trail, Big Bend National Park 1197
| Scientific Name | Echinocereus viridiflorus var. russanthus (Echinocereus russanthus, Echinocereus russanthus ssp. russanthus) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ECVIR ECRU4 |
| Common Name | Rusty Hedgehog Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | N/A 51700 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | CactiGuide.com Reference | Click Here |
| Description | Habitat: Desert environments; limestone and igneous soils in desert scrub, grasslands and mountains; endemic to Big Bend area from 2300 to 6400 ft. Plant: Cylindrical stems 2 to 10 inches tall and 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches across and may be branched at bases densely covered with spines. Pads & Spines: Stems with 12 to 18 ribs; 9 to 12 central spines 3/8 to 1-1/2 inches long and 30 to 45 radial spines 1/3 to 5/8-inch long; reddish brown to blackish or white with darler tips. Inflorescence: Comparatively smaller rusty-red funnel-shaped flowers 3/4 to 1-3/8 inches long growing from the sides of the stems; yellow anthers, pale-yellow style with and 8 to 10 green stigma lobes. Bloom Period: February to April. Fruit: Green to dull red, almost round to oval, 3/8 to 1/2-inch long. References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell and "Little Big Bend" by Roy Morey. Note: There is some disagreement on the naming of the species. The name used here is that cited by the Powell, Weedin and Powell; Blum suggests E. russanthus ssp. russanthus in his Echinocereus Status Liste. |
BONAP Distribution Map E. russanthus 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