About Echinocereus nicholii (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt
Echinocereus nicholii (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt forms large, loose clusters of up to 30 upright, cylindrical shoots that grow from the plant's base. Each individual shoot measures 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 in) in length and 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) in diameter, and bears 10 to 13 non-tuberculated ribs. This species is distinguished by its notably long central spines, which are colored glassy white or golden yellow. It typically produces 2 to 6 straight, stiff central spines, rarely as many as 11; the lowest central spine reaches 5 to 6.2 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) in length. It also produces 8 to 12 marginal spines, sometimes up to 18; these spines are straight, spreading, and 0.8 to 1.2 cm (0.31 to 0.47 in) long. The funnel-shaped flowers of Echinocoreus nicholii are red to blood red, and emerge from the upper half of the shoots. The flowers measure 5 to 6.2 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) in both length and diameter. The fruits start out green and egg-shaped, turn red as they mature, and are covered in thorns that eventually fall off. This cactus is distributed in southeastern Arizona, USA, ranging from the Silverbell Mountains near Tucson to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and also occurs in the state of Sonora, Mexico. It grows successfully in xeric scrubland habitats, on limestone and basaltic soils, at elevations between 300 and 900 meters above sea level. It is found growing alongside other cactus and succulent species including Carnegiea gigantea, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus emoryi, Cochemiea grahamii, Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa, and Stenocereus thurberi, and sometimes grows with Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus.
