About Echinocereus reichenbachii subsp. fitchii (Britton & Rose) N.P.Taylor
Echinocereus reichenbachii is a perennial shrubby cactus, and one of the smaller species in the Echinocereus genus. Immature individuals are spherical, becoming cylindrical as they mature. Plants grow either solitarily or in multi-branched clusters of up to twelve individuals, with erect stems that have 10 to 19 slightly undulate ribs. Mature plants reach 7.5 to 30 centimetres (3.0 to 11.8 in) tall and 4 to 10 centimetres (1.6 to 3.9 in) wide. The dark green stems are obscured by spines, especially when the plant is dehydrated. Areoles are elliptical or oval, spaced 1 to 6 millimetres (0.039 to 0.236 in) apart, and each bear 15 to 36 spines. Spines range in color from tan to brown, black, purplish black, or pink, and their tips are usually darker than the shaft; central spines tend to be the darkest. There are up to 7 central spines per areole, measuring 1 to 6 millimetres (0.039 to 0.236 in) long. Flowering occurs from early May to late June, and fruits develop 6 to 10 weeks after flowering. Individual flowers open for just one day, but anthesis is usually staggered so blooming can last a full week. Flower buds are covered in white wool that conceals the developing fruit. Flowers are purple or pink, and grow to approximately 4.5 to 8 centimetres (1.8 to 3.1 in) by 5 to 10 centimetres (2.0 to 3.9 in). The flower's inner tepals are silvery pink or magenta, while outer portions are white, crimson, green, or multicolored. Flower tubes measure 22 to 40 millimetres (0.87 to 1.57 in) by 10 to 30 millimetres (0.39 to 1.18 in); tube hairs are 5 to 15 millimetres (0.20 to 0.59 in) long, and the nectar chamber is 2 to 5 millimetres (0.079 to 0.197 in) deep. Each flower has 30 to 50 ragged or notched petals. Pistils are multi-lobed and green, while stamens are cream-colored or yellow. Fruits are various shades of green and 15 to 28 millimetres (0.59 to 1.10 in) long. The native range of Echinocereus reichenbachii covers the entire Chihuahuan Desert, its adjacent grasslands, and oak and juniper woodlands, growing at elevations up to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft). In the United States, it is native to Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In northern Mexico, it occurs in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. This species is tolerant of both cold and heat, and prefers dry, well-drained soils near rock outcroppings. The Oklahoma variety E. reichenbachii baileyi has distinctly long, bristlelike spines. For cultivation and propagation, Echinocereus reichenbachii prefers full sun and requires very little water. It thrives in dry, well-drained gravelly, clay, and loam soils, as well as in locations near rock outcroppings. It tolerates cold and heat, grows well under glass, and is drought resistant, but is susceptible to infestation by mealybugs and scale insects. Propagation is done via seeds collected when fruits begin to dry. This species is used ornamentally in commercial landscaping, especially in desert regions, and is considered deer resistant. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
