hedgehog cactus

any of various rounded, usually spiny cacti of the genus Echinocereus, of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, having bell-shaped flowers that close at night.

[1875-80, Amer.]

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▪ plant

 any of about 50 species of the family Cactaceae, native from central Mexico to the western United States. The common name hedgehog refers to the spiny fruit. Hedgehog cacti are cylindroid, usually many-headed, and often soft-bodied. The spine-bearing tubercles are joined to one another and form ribs. The flowers generally have green stigma lobes. The fruit is fleshy and often delicious.

      The Echinocereus viridiflorus complex, with small fragrant green to brown flowers, is the northernmost group, growing from Mexico to Wyoming and South Dakota. The E. triglochidiatus complex ranges from north of Mexico City to northern Utah and southern Colorado.

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