Apache Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus apachensis)
Description
Echinocereus apachensis is a morphological or hybrid form of Echinocereus bonkerae found at the lowest altitude for the species. It distinguishes for its taller stems and unusually long (longer than 10 cm) flexible spines. Plants are very variable, as you would expect from hybrid swarm, and the parents must be Echinocereus engelmannii or Echinocereis fasciculatus, both common in the general area. Not at all every plant look like that. Most wild plants have their central spines shorter (like in standard Echinocereus bonkerae), while some have stiffer and thicker spines. Plants usually have several brown or straw-yellow central spines with other spines white, but some plants are pure white. It is a particularly beautiful plant in flower. Flowers are crimson in colour with darker throats.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum: Magnoliophyta
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Caryophyllales
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Family: Cactaceae
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Genus: Echinocereus
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