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Glandulicactus uncinatus var. wrightii
Glandulicactus uncinatus (Galeotti) Backeb. var. wrightii (Engelm.) Backeb.
Chihuahuan Fishhook Cactus, Brown-flowered Hedgehog Cactus, Catclaw Cactus
Cactaceae (Cactus Family)
Synonym(s): Sclerocactus uncinatus var. wrightii
USDA Symbol: GLUNW
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
This Hedgehog Cactus is oval shaped, up to 8 inches tall and 4 inches across but usually much smaller. It has 13 high, conspicuous ribs, separated by broad grooves. The surface is bluish-green. There are 7 or 8 heavy spines at each areole. The upper 4 are straight and flattened, about 1-2 inches long, but the lower ones are somewhat shorter and nearly round, curved at the tips. There is 1 central spine, 2-4 inches long, very heavy, and often twisted and hooked at the tip. Flowers are maroon to reddish-brown, funnel-shaped, up to 1 1/4 inches long and about 1 inch across. The petals are sometimes slightly pointed at the tip; others are squared off. The pistil is brown, with 19 or more broad lobes which are cream-colored above and maroon below. Stamens are yellow.
The variety name of this plant is for Charles Wright, 1811-1885, world-wide botanical collector but mainly in Texas (1837-1852), Cuba and his native Connecticut.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Cactus/Succulent
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 8 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , BrownBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: NM , TXBenefit
Use Ornamental: Attractive, Flowers ornamental, Desert landscape.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Bibliography
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. LoughmillerSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Glandulicactus uncinatus var. wrightii in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Glandulicactus uncinatus var. wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Glandulicactus uncinatus var. wrightii
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-13Research By: Joseph A. Marcus