Echinocereus cinerascens
(DC.) Engelm. ex Haage
Cactaceae
The taxonomy of this genus is complicated due to fuzzy taxonomic boundaries, polytypic taxa, and differing interpretations by specialists. Most North American botanists recognize about 50 species, while the Echinocereus specialists in Germany recognize more than 70 species[
1991- Title
- Ajo Peak to Tinajas Altas: A flora in southwestern Arizona. Part 7. Eudicots: Cactaceae - Cactus Family
- Publication
- Phytoneuron 2014-69: 1-95
- Author
- Felger R.S. et al
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2014
- ISBN
- 2153 733X
- Description
-
]. We are following the treatment of David Hunt, 2016 in CITES Cactaceae Checklist, Third Edition, ISBN 978-0-9933113-2-1.
Echinocereus tulensis Bravo
Cereus acinaciformis Steud.
Cereus aciniformis Pfeiff.
Cereus cinerascens DC.
Cereus cirrhifer Labour.
Cereus deppei Pfeiff.
Cereus deppei Otto ex J.Forbes
Cereus ehrenbergii Pfeiff.
Cereus glycimorphus (Foerster) Orcutt
Echinocactus chlorophthalmus Hook.
Echinocereus chlorophthalmus (Hook.) Britton & Rose
Echinocereus cirrhifer (Labour.) Haage
Echinocereus ehrenbergii (Pfeiff.) Engelm. ex Haage
Echinocereus glycimorphus undulatus Schelle
Echinocereus pentalophus ehrenbergii (Pfeiff.) Backeb.
Common Name:
General Information
Echinocereus cinerascens is a spiny, evergreen, succulent perennial cactus. Many-branched from the base, it forms clumps or compact mounds of prostrate to erect, cylindrical stems; individual stems are up to 30cm long and 2 - 12cm in diameter[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is widely grown as an ornamental.
Echinocereus cinerascens is a very widespread and extremely common species with no major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
Range
Southern N. America - central Mexico - México Federal District, Hidalgo, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas
Habitat
Thorny Prosopis scrub (mesquite) and xerophytic shrubland; at elevations around 1,600 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Perennial |
| Height | 0.25 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Echinocereus cinerascens is native to moderate elevations in semi-arid environments in central Mexico. In cultivation in semi-arid temperate regions of the USA it has shown itself to tolerate light frosts, being undamaged at temperatures down to -4°c[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
].
In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in a well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw[
423- Title
- Desert Tropicals
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
]. A strawberry-like flavour[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
]. The green fruits are spiny[
1987- Title
- The Cactus Family
- Publication
-
- Author
- Anderson E.F.
- Publisher
- Timber Press; Portland, Oregon
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-88192-498-9
- Description
- An excellent work, giving botanical descriptions of virtually all the cacti, together with their range (but not their habitats) and sometimes also a photo. it also contains a long chapter detailing the many uses of cacti and another on cultivation..
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
