Hi everyone. I had a chance to go to Hidalgo, Mexico last week. I found a couple of cacti that I will be posting for ID info. This species can grow up to 1.5 meters tall and has long (up to 4 cm) spines on stems that are generally less than 1 cm in diameter. The flowers are about 3 cm indiameter and sort of a purple green. Thanks as always!
Hi and thanks for the info. That was my first thought but the fruit shape and flower color didn't seem to match, but maybe this is within the range of variability.
I agree with PeterB, not leptacaulis. C. kleiniae is a very likely suspect, although Hidalgo is too far south for kleiniae naturally, according to distribution maps. Here on CactiGuide, no Cylindropuntia at all show up for Hidalgo.
If it means anything, my C. kleiniae is currently in bloom and has been for a few weeks.
ah ha, I was trying to think of the name of C. kleiniae and I was drawing a blank. That was the one I was thinking of, because of the reasons everyone stated as to why it's not leptocaulis, wrong flowers, fruits, and stems..
Here's to you, all you insidious creatures of green..er I mean cacti.
[quote="CoronaCactus"]... although Hidalgo is too far south for kleiniae naturally, according to distribution maps. Here on CactiGuide, no Cylindropuntia at all show up for Hidalgo...
Interesting... I wonder why no Cylindropuntias have been reported from Hidalgo, they are very common where I have been. I think this is a natural population as it was quite a ways from any houses etc., was present along the road for several kilometers, and was growing with at least two other Cylindropuntias as well as some Opuntias. Also, while Opuntias are commonly planted for their pads and fruits, the Cylindropuntias, because of the way they attach themselves, are eradicated to protect cattle and horses. Compared to C. imbricata this one is very plain and I doubt many people would cultivate it.
This plant was fairly widespread, but the major cactus in the area is a C. imbricata like plant that has two color varieties. There is also a much less common Cylindropuntia which had buds but wasn't blooming yet. I will post the C. imbricata pictures for confirmation and as a data point. I will wait a while on the other hoping to find it in bloom.
