Echinocereus rigidissimus rubrispino 🌱🌵🌱

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The succulent I am featuring in this post is a bit different from the other ones in my collection, in the sense this is the closest plant I have to a cactus, although in a very small size. I have had this little cutie for more than five years now and it has grown only two thirds more than its original height. The deeper red section at the bottom of the plant shows how big was the cactus when I bought it. Since then it has adapted to its new environment in my flat and to its neighbours in the composition I made with other succulents.

This is one of the plants I bought from the nursery having a little label with the name of the variety on it. So I know this is an echinocereus rigidissimus rubrispino, quite an impressive name for a little cactus. Echinocereus is a combination of a Greek name for hedgehog, echino, and of Latin for candle, cereus. In fact this is sometimes called a hedgehog plant being so tightly covered with tiny thorns. The rigidissimus refers to the very stiff structure of the plant, while the rubrispino allude to the reddish/pink little thorns that cover in tight rows the length of the cactus. These actually fade in colour as the plant matures.

The most interesting feature of this plant is probably its flower, which is very large and bright pink. This is not annual but only blossoms when the cactus is in ideal conditions to reproduce. When pollinated the flower produces a small fruit, which is edible, and seeds, which can be used to propagate the plant. These are beautiful and tough creatures that are used to withstand harsh environments, with little nutrients available around them. As the original environment for this plant are the arid areas of the north of Mexico and Arizona, this plant will need very scarce watering and actually would suffer and die with overwatering. My habit is to provide water on a monthly basis and this seems to be ideal for where the pot is located. Unfortunately I have not been able yet to see it flowering.

My favourite succulents

Plants and Flowers

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