Echinocereus triglochidiatus
(Kingcup Cactus)
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9203
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9217
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9202
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9218
Echinocereus triglochidiatus, Mosca Pass Trail, Great Sand Dunes NP, Alamosa Co. 9206
| Scientific Name | Echinocereus triglochidiatus (E. mojavensis) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ECTR |
| Common Name | Kingcup Cactus, Claretcup Hedgehog Cactus | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19815 |
| Family | Cactaceae (Cactus) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and montane (4500 to 8800 ft.); dry, gravelly, sandy soils in a wide variety of habitats, including hillsides, canyons, desert grasslands and scrub, brushlands and woodlands. Plant: Erect (or nearly) stems growing singly, in a cluster with a few branches, or up to 300 in mounds several feet across with numerous branches. Stems & Spines: Stems 2 to 24 inches tall and 2 to 5 inches wide; with 8 to 8 ribs; areoles spaced 3/8 to 1-5/8 inches apart with 0 or 1 central spine per areole, 2 to 4-3/4 inches long and 1 to 10 radial, spreading spines 5/8 to 3-1/2 inches long; spines are straight, curved or contorted and white, yellowish, gray, or black. Inflorescence: Cup-shaped flowers arising from the sides of the stems, 1 to 2-1/2 inches across with bright orange-red to dark red tepals with bases sometimes being yellowish or whitish; central style with greenish stigma lobes; pink to purple anthers clustered below the stigma lobes; plants are dioecious with male and female flowers on different plants. Bloom Period: April to June. Fruit: On female plants cross-pollinated by male plants; egg-shaped fruit, 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches long, green to yellow-green with white pulp; with clusters of tiny spines until ripe. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America, American Southwest and Wildflowers of New Mexico. |
BONAP Distribution Map E. mojavensisMap Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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