Scientific Name | Echinocereus viridiflorus ssp. viridflorus | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ECVIV |
Common Name | Nylon Hedgehog Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 912757 |
Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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Description | Habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 8500 ft.); gravelly or silty soils in dry, open places (semidesert grasslands, short-grass prairies, oak woodlands) Plant: Cylindrical stems 2 to 13 inches tall and 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches across and may be branched at bases; densely covered with spines. Pads & Spines: Stems with 10 to 20 ribs; areoles with 12 to 40 mostly radial spines 3/8 to 1-1/2 inches long; a few (or no) central spines; spines are straight or slightly curved, whitish, yellowish, or purplish, often with dark tips. Inflorescence: Greenish-yellow flowers 3/4 to 1-1/2 tall and 3/8 to 1-1/4 inches across, with numerous long, narrow petals with thin, delicate tips; numerous stamens and yellow anthers. Bloom Period: May to June. Fruit: Small, almost round to oval, 3/8 to 5/8-inch across; yellowish-green to dark green, dark purple. References: "Cacti of Texas" by Powell, Weedin and Powell, "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, iNaturalist and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map![]() |
Colorado Status: Native |
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Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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