Echinocactus

 ( Cacti Of Mexico ) 

Echinocactus is a genus of cactus 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.

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

Mexico (Zacatecas)

southwestern United States and northern Mexico

Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert

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Formerly placed here

• 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.)
• Peyote (Lem. ex Salm-Dyck) J.M.Coult. (as E. williamsii Lem. ex Salm-Dyck)
• Turbinicarpus subterraneus (Backeb.) A.D.Zimm. ( as E. subterraneus Backeb.)

Also see Homalocephala (plant)

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

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External links

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

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