Echinocactus platyacanthus is a member of the cactus family Cactaceae. It is also known as the giant barrel cactus, golden barrel cactus, giant viznaga, or biznaga de dulce,[2] and its Nahuatl (Aztec) name is huitzli nahual.[citation needed]. It is native to central Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert.[1] This species is the largest of the barrel cacti. In Mexico, its hairs are often used for weaving; and acitrón, a traditional Mexican candy, is produced by boiling the cactus pith.
| Echinocactus platyacanthus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Cactaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cactoideae |
| Genus: | Echinocactus |
| Species: | E. platyacanthus
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| Binomial name | |
| Echinocactus platyacanthus | |
Description
editThis slow-growing species can reach sizes up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) wide and can live over a hundred years. Previous records show that some specimens grow to almost 1.2 m (4 ft) in thickness.[3] What is probably the largest cactus living today is the one called "Goliat" at the "Area natural de Daxpe", in the municipio de Cadereyta, Querétaro State, Mexico. It is 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in) in height, at least 0.9 m (3 ft) thick and weighs about 3 metric tons (6,600 lb).[4] Another one at Ixmiquilpan, Mexico has a measured diameter of 120 cm (3 ft 11 in) and is 2.4 m (7 ft 10 in) high.[5] Britton and Rose reported a specimen (with photograph) which was 1.33 m (4 ft 4 in) thick, by 10 ft (3 m) in height and weighed 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).[6]
Their stems come in gray-ish blue color and the straight, rigid spines are black. The apex of the cactus is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance. They are heavily ribbed, with 25 to 30 vertical ribs, and have large areoles. Their diurnal, tubular flowers bloom at the end of spring to summer and are a vivid yellow color; they grow to about 2 cm (0.79 in) in height and 3 cm (1.2 in) in width.[7] The fruit is about 3 cm (1.2 in) long and is covered by a hairy wool.[8]
Gallery
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Echinocactus platyacanthus at 16 days -
At 14 cm -
Inflorescence -
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In natural habitat
References
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- ^ a b Hernández, H.M.; Cházaro, M.; Gómez-Hinostrosa, C. (2017). "Echinocactus platyacanthus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T152537A121477917. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T152537A121477917.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ "Giant Barrel Cactus, Biznaga Gigante Echinocactus platyacanthus". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
- ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). S3.amazonaws.com. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ "Photographic image" (JPG). Pbs.twimg.com. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- ^ Coulter, John M. (April 1, 1896). "Preliminary Revision of the No. American Species of Echinocactus, Cereus and Opuntia". Cotrib. To the United States Nat'l Herbarium. 3 (7): 83 plus photo plate XVIII B.
- ^ Britton, Nathaniel; Rose, Joseph (1963). Cactaceae - Volume III (reprint). New York: Dover Press. p. 170.
- ^ "Echinocactus platyacanthus". CACTUS ART NURSERY. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
- ^ "Echinocactus ingens". Cactus Art. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
