Miniature barrel cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thelocactus setispinus |
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| Thelocactus setispinus at the Orto Botanico dell'Università di Genova | |
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Thelocactus
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T. setispinus
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| Thelocactus setispinus (Engelm.) E.F.Anderson
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Thelocactus setispinus, often called the miniature barrel cactus or hedgehog cactus, is a type of cactus. It belongs to the Thelocactus group within the Cactaceae family.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Thelocactus comes from a Greek word, "Thelo," which means "wart" or "nipple." This describes the cactus's ribs, which have bumps that look like nipples. The second part of its name, setispinus, comes from two Latin words: "seta" meaning "bristle" and "spina" meaning "thorn" or "spine." So, its name describes its bumpy body and bristly thorns!
How Does This Cactus Look?
The Thelocactus setispinus is a round or short, cylinder-shaped cactus. It can grow to be about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) wide. It can reach up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall.
- Spines: This cactus has two kinds of spines.
- It has 12 to 15 radial spines. These are like needles, bright brown or white, and can be up to 4 inches (10 cm) long.
- It also has 1 to 3 central spines. These are longer and stronger. They are usually straight but can have a hook-like curve at the tip.
- Flowers: In late summer, this cactus blooms with beautiful flowers. They can be orange, dark yellow, magenta, or violet. Each flower has a red center and is about 7 inches (18 cm) long.
- Fruits: After blooming, the cactus produces small, red fruits. They are round or oval-shaped and slightly scaly. These fruits are about 0.3 to 0.4 inches (8 to 10 mm) in size.
Where Does This Cactus Grow?
This cactus is found in the southern United States, mainly in Texas. It also grows in Mexico, in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. People around the world now grow it as an ornamental plant because it looks so nice.
What Kind of Home Does It Like?
The Thelocactus setispinus naturally lives in dry deserts. Even though it's spread out, you might not find many of them in one spot. It usually grows in black or clay soils. You can often find it in coastal lowlands, hidden under mesquite bushes. It prefers to grow at elevations from sea level up to about 1,800 feet (550 meters).
Images for kids
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A close-up of a Thelocactus setispinus flower.
See also
In Spanish: Thelocactus setispinus para niños
