Biology:Echinocactus

Echinocactus is a genus of cacti in the subfamily Cactoideae. The generic name derives from the Ancient Greek ἐχῖνος (echînos), meaning "spiny," and cactus. It and Ferocactus are the two genera of barrel cactus. Members of the genus usually have heavy spination and relatively small flowers. The fruits are copiously woolly, and this is one major distinction between Echinocactus and Ferocactus. Propagation is by seed.

Species

As of 2025, the genus includes 3 accepted species out of hundreds of plants having the name.

Image	Scientific name	Common name	Distribution
	Echinocactus × diabolicus (Halda, L.Vacek & Vaško) Janeba		Mexico (Zacatecas)
120px	Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem.	Devil's Head, Silverbell Cactus, Turk's Head CactusGolden Barrel Cactus	southwestern United States and northern Mexico
120px	Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto	Giant Barrel Cactus	Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert

Formerly placed here

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem. (as E. asterias Zucc.)
• Aztekium ritteri (Boed.) Boed. (as E. ritteri Boed.)
• Kroenleinia grusonii (Hildm.) Lodé (as E. grusonii Hildm.)
• Ferocactus wislizeni (Engelm.) Britton & Rose (as E. wislizeni Engelm.)
• Lophophora williamsii (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult. (as E. williamsii Lem. ex Salm-Dyck)
• Turbinicarpus subterraneus (Backeb.) A.D.Zimm. (as E. subterraneus Backeb.)
• Homalocephala
  • Homalocephala parryi (Engelm.) Vargas & Bárcenas
  • Homalocephala polycephala (Engelm. & J.M.Bigelow) Vargas & Bárcenas
  • Homalocephala texensis (Hopffer) Britton & Rose

References

• Innes C, Wall B (1995). Cacti, Succulents and Bromeliads. Cassell & The Royal Horticultural Society.

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment: Echinocactus
• Cactus-mall.com: "Lost Peyotls"

Wikidata ☰ Q133014 entry