Scientific Name
Echinocereus enneacanthus subsp. brevispinus (W.O.Moore) N.P.Taylor
Common Name(s)
Strawberry Cactus, Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus, Green Strawberry, Green Strawberry Hedgehog, Banana Cactus, Alicoche Banana Cactus, Pitaya, Smallspine Pitaya, Purple Pitaya, Prostrate Hedgehog, Prostrate Hedgehog Cactus, Cob Cactus
Synonym(s)
Echinocereus enneacanthus f. brevispinus, Cereus blanckii, Echinocereus berlandieri var. blanckii, Echinocereus blanckii, Echinocereus carnosus, Echinocereus enneacanthus var. brevispinus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Echinocereus
Description
Echinocereus enneacanthus subsp. brevispinus is a cactus with cylindrical, decumbent or erect stems. It forms dense or lax, flat-topped or rounded clumps, usually branching before flowering. It differs from Echinocereus enneacanthus for its thinner stems, areoles more closely set on the ribs, and shorter spines. However, except for differences in stem size, the habits of both are similar.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can successfully grow other globular cactus, you can most likely grow Echinocereus well. One of the key factors in success with these is avoiding any hint of wet soil. Because their root systems are weak, they are especially prone to root rot, eventually killing your plant. Otherwise, they thrive on a program of strong, bright light, slight water, and a steady diet of light fertilizer. These cacti are vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids.
Echinocereus are slow-growing cacti that should only need repotting every other year or so. You can prolong the time to repotting by removing plantlets and potting them up in their own pots. When repotting a cactus, carefully remove it from its pot and knock away any clumped soil. These plants tend to be shallow-rooted with weak root systems, so take care not to damage their roots.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinocereus.
Origin
This subspecies is native to Mexico and the United States.
Links
- Back to genus Echinocereus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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