Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus, synonyms including Echinomastus erectocentrus, is a subspecies of cactus,[3] known by the common names redspine fishhook cactus,[4] redspine butterfly cactus,[5] acuña cactus, needle-spine pineapple cactus, red pineapple cactus, and purple-spine viznagita.[6] It is native to Arizona in the United States.[3]

This cactus grows up to about 34 cm (13.4 in) tall by 10 cm (3.9 in) wide. There are many spines on each areole, the central ones up to 4.4 cm (1.7 in) long. The spines are purple, pink, or white with brown tips. The flower is up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long by 9 cm (3.5 in) wide and has white, pink, or lavender tepals with greenish, brown, or reddish coloration at the bases.[7] It is the first cactus to bloom in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, flowering in early March.[5]

This species grows on limestone.[5]

Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. acunensis is not easily distinguished from S. johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus using morphological characteristics, but they occur in different geographical areas. The former occurs in northern Sonora and north to Florence, Arizona, and the latter occurs around Tucson and areas east.[8]

References

  1. ^ "NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b c d "Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus (J.M.Coult.) M.A.Baker". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  4. ^ Echinomastus erectocentrus. USDA Plants Profile.
  5. ^ a b c Sclerocactus erectocentrus. The Nature Conservancy.
  6. ^ "Sclerocactus erectocentrus". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  7. ^ Echinomastus erectocentrus. Flora of North America.
  8. ^ Echinomastus erectocentrus. Center for Plant Conservation.