Cactaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Echinocereus stramineus

Edibility

4/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Echinocereus stramineus is a spiny, evergreen, succulent shrubby cactus. Many-branched from the base, it forms clumps or compact mounds of usually 20 - 100 cylindrical stems, exceptionally up to 500 stems; the stems can be up to 45cm tall and 8cm in diameter, forming a clump that can be more than 100cm wide[ 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 commonly harvested from the wild for its fruit, which is often sold in local markets. It is also often grown as an ornamental. Echinocereus stramineus has a very wide range, is abundant, and grows in inaccessible places not suitable for farming or agriculture. 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. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern N. America - New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León).

HabitatChihuahuan desert scrub, rocky slopes, rarely flats, igneous and sedimentary substrates; at elevations from 500 - 1,800 metres[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ]. Rocky limestone slopes in full sun, in desert scrub and pine forest[ 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. ].