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  Ferocactus acanthodes var. lecontei
(Syn: Ferocactus cylindraceus ssp. lecontei)
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Description: The plant is usually unbranched forming a single column up to 2m tall and 30cm in diameter. The ribs are 2.5cm high and tuberculate.
Spines: A large central spine and three auxiliary centrals form a crucifix shape, The primary central is 5 to 7cm, angles down and is slightly to moderately hooked, sometimes to 90 degrees. The other centrals are from 5 to 7.5 cm long. The centrals are noticeably annularly ridged and flattened with a flat upper surface and rounded lower surface. Spines can be very light grey to red and yellow but darken to black with age.
Flowers:
Yellow flowers tinged with red appear in May and June at the crown of the plant, 4 to 6cm. The fruit with scales is fleshy, yellow or yellowish green 5cm long, 2.5cm in diameter

Taxonomy note: F. acanthodes is differentiated  between variety lecontei with a central spine 5-7 cm in length, and variety acanthodes with a central spine 7-15 cm in length. The former grows at higher elevations 700-1500 m in elevation, while the latter usually inhabits the 50-700 m elevational range.
 

Cultivation: Prefers full sun,  Will take some frost.
Reproduction:
Seeds are the only way of reproducing.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Ferocactus cylindraceus:

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name:  Ferocactus acanthodes var. lecontei (Engelm.) G. Lindsay 1955

OriginThe various variety of F. acanthodes are spread across central and western Arizona, southeastern California and southwards into Baja California and Sonora, Mexico

Habitat: This cactus is locally abundant in arid gravelly or rocky foothills, canyon walls, fans and wash margins at 600 to 1250m elevation among creosote bush scrub, it also utilizes slopes and Acid Igneous rock lands. The species is limited in its northwards range by frost conditions. To reduce the damage by frost the plant is found on south facing slopes and it leans to the south to protect the sensitive growing tip by placing it for best exposure to the sun .

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:

  • Echinocactus lecontei  Engelm. 1856
  • Echinocactus wislizenii var. lecontei Engelmann 1878
  • Ferocactus lecontei  (Engelm.) Britton & Rose 1922
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei Taylor 1979
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus var. lecontei  (Engelm.) Bravo 1980
  • Ferocactus cylindraceus subsp. lecontei  (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor 1998


F. acanthodes lecontei grows slowly forming in age a narrow column up to 2m tall.
 

 


Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.