Echinocereus knippelianus

Echinocereus knippelianus is a species of hedgehog cactus native to Mexico. It can be grown in cultivation.[2]

Echinocereus knippelianus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Echinocereus
Species:
E. knippelianus
Binomial name
Echinocereus knippelianus
Liebm., 1895
Synonyms

Cereus knippelianus (Liebner) Orcutt 1902

Description

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Echinocereus knippelianus grows solitary or in sprouts, often forming groups of up to 50 shoots that are rarely extended beyond the soil surface. The almost spherical to spherical, green to fairly blackish green, soft-fleshed shoots reach a diameter of 3 to 8 cm (1.2 to 3.1 in). There are five to seven low and wide ribs. The up to four straight or twisted, light yellow thorns, which can also be missing, are very variable in size. They are 1.5 to 6 cm (0.59 to 2.36 in) long.

The short, funnel-shaped flowers are pink to slightly purple to white and appear near the tips or sides of the shoots. They are 2.5 to 4 cm (0.98 to 1.57 in) long and reach a diameter of 4 to 6.5 cm (1.6 to 2.6 in). The spherical, purple-colored, vertically tearing fruits are covered with one or more thorns and some wool.[3]

Distribution

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Echinocereus knippelianus is common in the Mexican states of Coahuila and Nuevo León in open, grasslands and pine forest at high altitudes of 2000 to 2200 meters.[4]

Taxonomy

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The first description was made in 1895 by C. Liebner.[5] The specific epithet knippelianus honors the German cactus breeder Carl Knippel, who was based in Halberstadt. A nomenclature synonym is Cereus knippelianus (Liebner) Orcutt (1902).

References

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  1. ^ SG), Succulent Plants; SG), Succulent Plants (2009-11-16). "The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
  2. ^ Berresford, Peter; Hoxey, Paul (1999). "Echinocereus knippelianus in habitat". British Cactus & Succulent Journal. 17 (1): 17–20. ISSN 0264-3405. JSTOR 42794301. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  3. ^ Anderson, Edward F.; Eggli, Urs (2005). Das grosse Kakteen-Lexikon (in German). Stuttgart (Hohenheim): Ulmer. pp. 198–199. ISBN 3-8001-4573-1.
  4. ^ Vallicelli, Valentino (2013-08-04). "Echinocereus knippelianus". LLIFLE. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  5. ^ Monatsschrift für Kakteenkunde. Vol. Bd.5 (1895). J. Neumann. 1895. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
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