- Echinocactus
Taxobox
name = "Echinocactus"
image_width = 250px
image_caption = "Echinocactus polycephalus "
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Caryophyllales
familia =Cactaceae
subfamilia =Cactaceae
tribus =Cacteae
genus = "Echinocactus"
genus_authority = Link & Otto
subdivision_ranks =Species
subdivision = See text"Echinocactus" is a
genus of large barrel-shaped cacti, usually with large spines and small flowers. The generic name derives from theAncient Greek εχινος "echino-" "spiny" and "cactus". Other types of Barrel Cactus are assigned to genus "Ferocactus ".Additional species used to be included in the genus but now the number is reduced to six. They thrive on plenty of sun.
Perhaps the best known species is "Echinocactus grusonii" from Mexico, which is popularly known as the
Golden Barrel Cactus , an easy-to-grow and widely cultivated plant.;Selected species
*"Echinocactus grusonii " - golden barrel cactus
*"Echinocactus platyacanthus " - giant barrel cactus, large barrel cactus
*"Echinocactus polycephalus " - many-headed barrel cactus, cotton top cactus, harem cactus, woolly-headed barrel cactus
*"Echinocactus texensis " - horse-crippler cactus, candy cactus, devil's-head cactus, devil's pincushion
*"Echinocactus wislizeni " - Fishhook barrel cactus, Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Southwestern Barrel CactusSynonymy The following genera are considered synonyms to "Echinocactus":
*"Brittonrosea"
Speg.
*"Echinofossulocactus"Lawr.
*"Homalocephala" Britton & RoseReferences
* Innes C, Wall B (1995). "Cacti, Succulents and Bromeliads". Cassell & The Royal Horticultural Society.
* The species list is referenced from [http://www.cactiguide.com/ cactiguide.com] which is in turn referenced from several books which are listed on that site. The principal book listed there is "The Cactus Family" by Edward F. Anderson, (2001).External links
* [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?2702,2707 Jepson Manual Treatment]
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ECHIN2 USDA Plants Profile]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=111209 Flora of North America]
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