Echinocereus is a genus in the Cactaceae family of small to medium sized ribbed plants suitable for growing in containers distributed from the United States to Mexico. Species are found in a variety of elevations and habitats. Some of the species have Dahlia like tubers.
Echinocereus leucanthus N.P.Taylor, syn. Wilcoxia albiflora, is native to Mexico. It has light green cylindrical stems, small thin spines, white to pink flowers and 4 to 8 roundish dark-grey to brown apical tubers at the main roots measuring 50-80 mm in diameter. This plant, photographed by Leo A. Martin on May 25, 2013, grew in a 2" / 5 cm plastic container before repotting. The first photo shows the entire plant against a US tape measure marked in inches. (1 inch = 2.54 cm) The second photo shows stem tips and a flower bud. Note spines on the bud. The third photo shows an open flower en face with a bud. The fourth photo shows this same flower and bud from the side. The fifth photo shows the lower portion of the stem and the roots. The stub just above the Y branching is the remnant of the original single stem, which broke when being moved several years ago; the broken piece rooted and is growing well, forming typical fusiform roots. The last photo shows the root system from below. Photos are copyright 2013, Leo A. Martin.
