In all of our western wanderings we've crossed paths with a variety of new plants, animals, and ecosystems to photograph and get to know. In just the last year we've explored Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas (among a few other states) and within each we have found ourselves in awe of the size, shape, spines, and flowers of the cacti growing there. In honor of these spiny new friends I've decided to shine a spotlight on 8 of my personal favorites. Take a walk through the arid southwest with me and learn about some of the cool cacti that line trails, hills, and landscaped yards.
1. Fishhook Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni)
Other Names: Arizona barrel cactus, candy barrel cactus, Southwestern barrel cactus
Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Vulnerable, Population Decreasing; S1: Critically Imperiled in Texas; S3: Vulnerable in Arizona
First up on our drive down cactus lane is the show-stopping giant that is the fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizeni). These cacti can grow up to 6 feet tall with some daredevils reaching heights of 10 feet tall! Because of their abundance and height, they are sometimes mistaken for young saguaros.
I had my first encounter with a fishhook barrel cactus in the Organ Mountains area in New Mexico. We were wrapping up an early May roadtrip with some day hikes and a night of camping on BLM land when I started noticing all of these mammoth cacti dotting the landscape. Where they are found they can be quite common, scattered in rocky, sandy, or gravelly soils of hills, flats, canyons, and alluvial fans throughout grasslands and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Mexico.
Not only are fishhook barrel cacti tall, but they're also wide, growing to a diameter of 2.25 ft. They have between 20-30 ribs on their round, unbranched bodies and their spine clusters consist of 1 long, hooked central spine, 1-3 smaller spines, and 6-16 radials. Yellow to red-orange flowers emerge from the top of the cacti, followed by green fruits that ripen to yellow. The flowers are pollinated by cactus bees (Lithurge spp.) and mammals like mule deer and javelina eat the fruit. Birds also eat the fruit and seeds of these cacti.
Fishhook barrel cacti are long lived with lifecycles of 50 to 100 years. Their skin thickens with age, protecting them from fire. Despite this, they have an average mortality of 50 to 67 percent within the first two years after fire. As they mature, these barrel cacti tend to lean south, towards the sun, sometimes leaning so much that they fall over. Although we’re not yet certain of why this happens, it is speculated that the intensity of the sun may stunt the growth of the sunward facing side, causing uneven growth.
These cacti are culturally significant to the people of the Sonoran desert. The fruits are edible and can be used to make jelly or candy. The flowers can also be eaten. They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and are threatened by urban and commercial development and the gathering of live plants for use in landscaping.
2. Texas Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus chloranthus subsp. chloranthus)
Other Names: brown flowered cactus, brown-spine hedgehog cactus, green-flowered hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus
Conservation Status: S2: Imperiled in Texas
Growing to a mere 10 inches, a much smaller cactus I've had the pleasure of finding is the Texas hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus chloranthus subsp. chloranthus - formerly Echinocereus viridiflorus var. chloranthus). This subspecies is part of the Echinocereus viridiflorus complex that has been split into 2 different species and several subspecies, making it a fun challenge to find the information I needed to write this bit!
These slender cacti can be found in southern New Mexico and into Texas between 3000 and 4500 ft in elevation. They are cylindrical in shape, usually unbranched when young, and occasionally branched when older. They typically have 11 to 16 ribs hidden under a thick layer of dense spines. These spines are colorful, ranging from red to white to brown and form in clusters of 3-4 central spines and 15-23 radial spines. In the spring, a circle of red or brown funnel-shaped flowers appear around the middle and lower portion of the plant.
3. Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus stramineus)
Other Names: strawberry cactus, porcupine hedgehog cactus, straw-color hedgehog, pitaya, sanjuanera, agosteña, Órgano-pequeño sanjuanero, alicoche sanjuanero
Conservation Status: G4: Apparently Secure
These rad cacti are differentiated from other hedgehog cacti by the straw-colored spines that give them their scientific name, stramineus. I was first introduced to this species along the rocky terrain in Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, but they can also be found in Texas and Mexico. They prefer limestone slopes and igneous soils in hilly to mountainous pine forest and desert scrub and it is wise to look up at the cliffs surrounding you when searching for these hedgehog cacti on a hike, instead of only looking at the ground.
The stems of these cacti can grow up to 1 ft in height and often form impressive mounds of between 10 and 350 stems - although there has also been a recording of a 500 stem mound! These stems typically have 12 ribs and clusters of long, densely packed spines. Each spine cluster can have 2-4 central spines 3 inches in length and 7-14 shorter radial spines. From a distance, the sun can glow on these cacti mounds creating a fuzzy golden effect, but don't be fooled, these spines are very sharp! Large magenta flowers appear on these cacti in spring, making way to mouth-watering strawberry flavored fruits.
4. New Mexico Rainbow Cactus (Echinocereus dasyacanthus subsp. dasyacanthus)
Other Names: Órgano-pequeño Arcoiris de Texas, Echinocereus pectinatus var. dasyacanthus, E. pectinatus var. neomexicanus
Conservation Status: T4: Apparently Secure
The New Mexico rainbow cactus (Echinocereus dasyacanthus subsp. dasyacanthus formerly Echinocereus pectinatus var. dasyacanthus and E. pectinatus var. neomexicanus) is a cute little ball of fuzz (well, spines) found in Texas, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico. It can be seen growing on the sides of rocky limestone canyons and in sandy valleys of the Chihuahuan desert and dry scrub and grasslands.
These cacti are low-growing and unbranched or branching at the base and they form loose clumps of up to 20 branches at maturity. Their spines are dense with clusters of 3-10 central spines and 16-24 radial spines. The color of these spines are variable and depend on growing conditions, causing distinct bands of color to form on some individuals similar to the Arizona rainbow cactus (Echinocereus rigidissimus) but less vivid.
New Mexico rainbow cacti are truly a sight to behold in spring when their large salmon-colored flowers emerge at the top of their stems. The color of the bloom can change with age, resulting in pink or magenta flowers in older plants. The delicate petals of these flowers have thin tips and sometimes display a darker midstripe on the outer petals. Dark edible purplish fruits appear on the cacti in summer.
5. Whitecolumn Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria tuberculosa)
Other Names: Biznaga-Escobar Rómbica, Coryphantha tuberculosa, white star, cob beehive cactus, cob cactus, corn cob, cob-cory cactus, corn cob cactus, Arizona pincushion, corncob cactus, incense cory cactus
Conservation Status: S3: Vulnerable in Texas
Clusters of small, cylindrical stems make the shape of whitecolumn foxtail cacti (Escobaria tuberculosa). They are found in limestone and igneous rock in the desert scrubs, grasslands, and pine-oak woodlands of southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, western Texas, and northern Mexico. They can be seen growing in canyons, rocky slopes, alluvial fans, and cliff crevices within their range.
They grow up to 6 inches in height with stems reaching a maximum of 2 inches in diameter. There can be 50 stems in a cluster, each with a dense lattice of straight spines. There are 15-40 radial spines and 5 central spines per areole varying in color from ashy white to tan. The tips of central spines are a dark reddish brown to reddish black color.
The flowers of this small cactus are a lovely pale pink or lavender color. They grow from the tops of the stems in late spring and summer. These flowers make way to red, oblong fruits.
6. Lee's Foxtail Cactus (Escobaria sneedii var. leei)
Other Names: Escobaria sneedii subsp. leei, Lee's Escobaria, Lee's cory cactus, Lee's pincushion
Conservation Status: U.S. Endangered Species Act: Threatened, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Threatened, State of New Mexico: Endangered, CITES Appendix I, T2: Imperiled in New Mexico
Like the whitecolumn foxtail cactus (Escobaria tuberculosa), Lee's foxtail cactus (Escobaria sneedii var. leei) is one of an estimated 23 species belonging to the genus Escobaria. Lee's foxtail cactus is called a subspecies of Escobaria sneedii by some and a variety by others. Regardless, seeing Lee's foxtail cactus is a rare treat. It has an extremely restricted range and is endemic to southern New Mexico. It grows between 4000-6000 feet in elevation in the Tansil limestone Formation on north-facing limestone ledges, slopes, and ridgetops. Less than 15 sites are known and there have only been 9 recordings of this cactus reported to iNaturalist since 2004.
Lee's foxtail cactus grows in dense clusters of upwards of 100 short stems, usually no more than 3 inches in height. These stems are spherical or cylindrical in shape and become club-shaped with time. They multiply and branch rapidly, forming irregular clumps. Each areole holds 30-90 radial spines and 1-7 central spines. The radial spines are very short and bristle-like and usually white in color with darker tips. The central spines are also short, but stouter than radials, usually 3 mm long. These spines are also white with pale brown tips.
From early April through May, small brownish-pink flowers narrowly open atop the stems. The petals of these flowers are narrow and pointed, curving downwards towards their base. These make way to small, elongated greenish brown to pink fruits. The flowers of these cacti are helpful field marks for differentiating Lee's foxtail cactus from the closely related Escobaria sneedii var. sneedii which has brighter, rose-magenta flowers.
Illegal collection and wildfire are majors threat to Lee's foxtail cactus. Since 2010 more than half of its habitat has been destroyed by wildfires with up to 40% mortality and no recovery within 4 years of monitoring. It has been listed as Threatened through the U.S. Endangered Species Act since 1979. It is also listed as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered by the state of New Mexico, and listed as a CITES Appendix I species.
7. Mojave Kingcup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. mojavensis)
Other Names: Echinocereus mojavensis, Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. mojavensis, Mojave hedgehog
Conservation Status: S3: Vulnerable in Nevada, S2: Imperiled in Utah
While there is some debate among scientists about whether the Mojave kingcup cactus is a subspecies or a species in its own right, there is no debate about how striking these cacti are. Their range extends through Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico and they can be found growing between 4900-9800 feet in elevation. They grow best in the well-drained, gravely or rocky soils of the Mojave desert and chaparral, although sand-filled rock cracks can support small individuals.
Mojave kingcup cacti are normally between 6-14 inches in height and 12-20 inches wide and can form large clumps with hundreds of heads with some individuals found to have up to 800 stems in a clump. The stems are ribbed with 8-14 ribs that become indistinct with age. Each areole has 5-11 white to grey spines with 1-2 central spines that are often difficult to distinguish from the radials.
Brilliant orange-red flowers appear from the tips of its stems from April to June. These flowers are solitary, funnel-shaped, and flaring - perfect for the hummingbirds that pollinate these cacti. Fruits develop 2-2.5 months after flowering, turning red when ripe. These fruits are juicy and edible, with white pulp.
8. Hairspine Pricklypear (Opuntia polyacantha)
Other Names: plains pricklypear, panhandle pricklypear, starvation pricklypear
Conservation Status: G5: Secure
When I say I carry a piece of this common opuntia species wherever I go, I mean it. I've had a glochid from a hairspine pricklypear stuck under the skin of one of my knuckles for months now, with no luck in getting it out. But, before we dive further into the fun world of glochids, let's talk about some of the other reasons this cactus is cool.
Hairspine pricklypear (Opuntia polycantha) can be found across the western United States and Canada through the Great Plains and northern Mexico. They grow in a variety of habitat types, including grassland, shrubland, scrub, chaparral, sagebrush, pinyon-juniper woodland, and ponderosa pine forest.
Opuntia species are culturally significant to Mexico and the southwestern United States. They are depicted on the Mexican coat of arms and have numerous historical and modern uses. They have been a vital source of food and drink, with the stems, flowers, juice, and fruit all being edible. Opuntia has also been used medicinally, including for treating digestive and urinary inflammation and as a coagulant for wounds.
Like other opuntia species, hairspine pricklypear grow in low-forming mats of succulent, green, oval platyclades - commonly called "pads". These pads are modified stems that can be 4-12 inches tall with mats being 6-9 feet wide. The pads are lined with 2 types of spines that can be variable in size and shape. One type of spine is smooth and long while the other type of spine is referred to as glochids, (okay, now we'll talk about glochids). Glochids are tiny, barbed, wooly spines that easily attach to skin or fur. Only two groups of plants have these fun little spines - Opuntia and Cylindropuntia.
The edible hairspine pricklypear flowers bloom in mid-summer and are typically 1-2 inches long and up to 6 inches wide and range in color from yellow to magenta. The fruits (called prickly pears or tunas) are cylindrical, brown to red, and spiny. They are similar to pomegranates in texture, color, and taste and can be eaten raw or used to make jams, jellies, or candy - just be sure to remove glochids before eating them. The pads are also eaten after removing the glochids and peeling the skin. The pads are called "nopal" or "nopales" and can add a very interesting texture to tacos and salads. They're also high in vitamin C, manganese, and magnesium.
As if pricklypears weren't already cool enough, they're also a valuable resource outside of the world of food. The thick skin of opuntia cacti can be harvested as an environmentally-friendly replacement for leather. The juice can be used to create bioplastics and some opuntia species can also be used for creating bioethanol. Opuntia fruit also contain betalain pigment, which can be used as a non-toxic alternative to synthetic dyes. Depending on the mordant used, a variety of colors can be extracted from pricklypears for dying organic material.
Still, humans aren't the only creatures that have found a bounty in this group of cacti. Pronghorn antelope are known to eat opuntia species, especially after wildfire has cleaned the plants of spines. In some areas, black-tailed prairie dogs rely on opuntia for half of their winter forage, and insects like the North American cactus moth (Melitara dentata), blue cactus borers (Olycella subumbrella), and cactus coreid (Chelinidea vittiger) also rely on these abundant cacti.
There are an estimated 1400 species of cacti in the Americas and Caribbean and we've only just covered 8. What's your favorite cactus? What species, facts, or regions do you want to see covered in our next cacti-centered post?
Want to stay up-to-date with the species we find while out exploring? Follow my iNaturalist profile for observations, identification, maps, and more.
Stay wild,
Fern
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