Echinocactus platyacanthus

Echinocactus platyacanthus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactaceae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Echinocactus
Species: E. platyacanthus
Binomial name
Echinocactus platyacanthus
Link & Otto

Echinocactus platyacanthus, also known as the giant barrel cactus, giant viznaga, or biznaga de dulce,[2] is a species of cactus (family Cactaceae). It is native to central Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert.[1] This species is the largest of the barrel cacti. Their hairs are often used for weaving in Mexico and used to produce a traditional candy by boiling the pith.

Description

This slow-growing species can reach sizes to 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) tall to 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) wide and can live over a hundred years. Their stems are a gray-ish blue color and the straight, rigid spines are black. The apex of the cactus is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance. They're heavily ribbed and have large areoles. Their diurnal, tubular flowers bloom at the end of spring to summer and are a vivid yellow color, they grow about 2 centimetres (0.79 in) in height and 3 centimetres (1.2 in) broad.[3] The fruit is about 3 centimetres (1.2 in) long and is covered by a hairy wool.[4]

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 "Echinocactus platyacanthus". IUCN Redlist. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  2. "Giant Barrel Cactus, Biznaga Gigante Echinocactus platyacanthus". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  3. "Echinocactus platyacanthus". CACTUS ART NURSERY. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  4. "Echinocactus ingens". Cactus Art. Retrieved 7 December 2013.

External links

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