Pinkflower hedgehog cactus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinkflower hedgehog cactus |
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The pinkflower hedgehog cactus (scientific name: Echinocereus fasciculatus) is a type of cactus that grows in groups. It is known for its bright magenta (pink-purple) flowers and long, sharp spines. You can find this cactus growing naturally in the Sonoran Desert.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The pinkflower hedgehog cactus usually forms loose groups. Each group can have anywhere from 5 to 20 individual cactus stems, which are called "shoots." These shoots are green and shaped like cylinders. They can be quite tall, from 16 to 45 centimeters (about 6 to 18 inches) long. Each shoot is about 4 to 7.5 centimeters (about 1.5 to 3 inches) wide.
The surface of the cactus shoots is not completely covered by its spines. It has 8 to 18 ribs, which are like raised lines running along the shoot. These ribs do not have clear bumps, which are sometimes called "tubercles."
Its Spines
This cactus has two main types of spines:
- Central spines: There are usually 2 to 4 of these. They are straight and light-colored, but their tips are darker. These spines can be 2.5 to 7.5 centimeters (about 1 to 3 inches) long. One of these central spines often sticks out more than the others.
- Marginal spines: There are typically 11 to 13 of these. They spread out from the cactus, are straight, and are whitish or grayish in color. These spines are shorter, about 1.2 to 2 centimeters (about 0.5 to 0.8 inches) long.
Its Beautiful Flowers and Fruits
The flowers of the pinkflower hedgehog cactus are very striking. They are shaped like wide funnels and are a beautiful magenta to reddish-purple color. These flowers grow in the upper half of the cactus shoots. They are usually 5 to 6.2 centimeters (about 2 to 2.4 inches) long and are just as wide.
After the flowers bloom, the cactus produces spherical (round) fruits. These fruits are fleshy and start out green. As they ripen, they turn red.
Where Does It Live?
The pinkflower hedgehog cactus is found in the southwestern United States. It grows in the states of New Mexico and Arizona. You can also find it in the neighboring Mexican state of Sonora. It thrives in the dry conditions of the Sonoran Desert.
How It Got Its Name
The first scientific description of this cactus was made in 1895. It was initially called Mammillaria fasciculata. The word "fasciculatus" comes from Latin and means 'densely packed together'. This name refers to how the cactus shoots grow in tight clusters, like a bundle.
Over time, scientists have sometimes changed its classification. For example, in 1998, some scientists suggested it was a subspecies of another cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii. However, its current accepted name is Echinocereus fasciculatus.
See also
In Spanish: Echinocereus fasciculatus para niños
Images for kids
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A close-up view of the pinkflower hedgehog cactus.
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The pinkflower hedgehog cactus with its beautiful magenta flowers.
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