Echinocactus lecontei
Proc. Amer. Acad. Arts 3: 274. 1856 et: in Pacif. Rail. Rep. iv. 29. t. 2. f. 3-5.
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Species
Echinocactus lecontei
Author
Engelm.
Chinese genus
金琥属
Chinese name
-
DescriptionEdit description
Flowers
Yellow flowers tinged with red appear in May and June at the crown of the plant, 4 to 6cm. The fruit with scales is fleshy, yellow or yellowish green 5 cm long, 2,5 cm in diameter.
Spines
A large central spine and three auxiliary centrals form a crucifix shape, The primary central is 5 to 7 cm, angles down and is slightly to moderately hooked, sometimes to 90 degrees. The other centrals are from 5 to 7,5 cm long. The centrals are noticeably annularly ridged and flattened with a flat upper surface and rounded lower surface. Spines can be very light grey to purple-red and yellow but darken to black with age.