Echinocereus dasyacanthus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Echinocereus dasyacanthus |
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The Texas rainbow cactus (scientific name: Echinocereus dasyacanthus) is a cool plant from the cactus family. There are about 2,000 different types of cacti in this family. It's often called the Texas rainbow cactus because its stem can have subtle rings of different colors, like a rainbow! But not all of them show these colors. Another fun name for it is the spiny hedgehog cactus.
This cactus usually has bright yellow flowers. Scientists think it might be a mix of two different cactus types, including another one called Echinocereus coccineus. Its scientific name, dasyacanthus, comes from two Greek words: dasys (meaning 'shaggy') and akantha (meaning 'thorns'). This makes sense because it has lots of spines!
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Where the Texas Rainbow Cactus Lives
The Texas rainbow cactus likes to grow in dry, rocky places. You can find it on mountain slopes or flat desert areas. It also grows in grasslands. This cactus lives in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the United States. In Texas, it's found in almost every county of the Trans-Pecos region. You can also spot it further south in parts of Mexico, like Sonora, Chihuahua, and Coahuila.
What the Texas Rainbow Cactus Looks Like
Most Texas rainbow cactus plants have one main stem. Sometimes they have two or three branches from the bottom. It's also common to see plants with 3 to 10 stems. The stems are usually about 11 to 24 centimeters (4 to 9 inches) long. They are also 5.5 to 7 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) wide. Each stem typically has 15 to 18 ribs.
The spines on this cactus often overlap. This means you can't always see the stem underneath. The spines can look very different from one plant to another.
- There are usually 4 to 12 central spines. These are about 0.5 to 1.2 centimeters (0.2 to 0.5 inches) long.
- There are also 14 to 25 radial spines. These are longer, about 0.7 to 2 centimeters (0.3 to 0.8 inches) long.
The spines are usually tan, yellow, or pink. Sometimes they can be ash-white or reddish-brown, but that's less common.
Its Beautiful Flowers
The Texas rainbow cactus blooms between March and May. Its large flowers grow on the sides of the stem. They are usually near the top of the plant. These flowers are typically 8 to 12 centimeters (3 to 5 inches) long. They are also 7 to 11 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) wide. The flowers smell sweet and are pollinated by bees.
In the Trans-Pecos region of Texas, the flowers are usually bright yellow. They have a green center. Other flower colors can include dark yellow, pale yellow, golden yellow, or even deep red to rose pink. Most of these cacti have yellow flowers. So, orange or reddish-purple flowers are not as common. The petals are quite thick and strong. The inside of the flower is filled with yellow pollen structures called anthers.
Its Juicy Fruits
The fruits of the Texas rainbow cactus start out green or greenish-purple. As they get older, they turn a darker purple. The inside of the fruit is very juicy. It can be white or purplish-pink. These fruits are round or oval-shaped. They are quite large, about 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long and 4.5 centimeters (1.8 inches) wide. The spines on the fruit fall off when it ripens.
Growing the Texas Rainbow Cactus
The Texas rainbow cactus is grown as an ornamental plant. This means people grow it for its beauty. It's used in natural landscaping in desert areas. It can also be a house plant or grown in a greenhouse. Since it's a smaller cactus, it can be easier to take care of.
- Growing conditions
This cactus needs very little care to grow. It doesn't need much water. It loves lots of sunlight, but can also grow in partial shade. It can grow in regular soil or in rocky, sandy ground. If you plant seeds, they can take anywhere from 5 to 180 days to sprout.
See also
In Spanish: Echinocereus dasyacanthus para niños
