Scientific Name
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. procumbens (Engelm.) W.Blum & Mich.Lange
Common Name(s)
Alicoche, Devil's Fingers, Dog Tail, Lady Finger Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cereus procumbens, Echinocereus pentalophus var. procumbens, Echinocereus procumbens
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Echinocereus
Origin
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. procumbens is native to North America (the United States and Mexico).
Description
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. procumbens is a cactus with branched, dark green to reddish-purple stems with 4 to 5 ribs lined with clusters of spines. It can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall and spread up to 3.3 feet wide. The stems can reach up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) in diameter. Each areole bears 4 to 8 spines, one of which is a little longer and more central.
The flowers are brilliant pink or magenta and appear in late spring. They can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.
Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. procumbens differs from Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. pentalophus primarily by its thinner, semi-prostrate stems.
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 grow other globular cacti successfully, 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 intense bright light, little 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, remove it from its pot and remove any clumped soil. These plants tend to be shallow-rooted with weak root systems, so take care not to damage their roots.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echinocereus.
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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