Echinocereus coccineus

A tetraploid species previously included as a variety in Echinocereus triglochidiatus. This is a functionally dioecious cactus, with flowers producing a functional pistil and abortive stamens or vice versa. The flowers with abortive stamens are readily identified, however those with functional stamens look, to me at least, indistinguishable from those of E. triglochidiatus. The two also differ in spine characteristics, with E. coccineus having terete spines, E. triglochidiatus angled or flattened spines.

Plant habit on the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, Brewster County, Texas, 23 Mar 2006.

Plant habit near AZ Hwy 78 in Greenlee County, Arizona, 5 May 2008.

A functionally pistillate flower on the south rim of the Chisos Mountains, Big Bend National Park, 22 Mar 2006.

A functionally staminate flower on the south side of the North Franklin Mountains, 21 Apr 2007.

A pinkish functionally pistillate flower on the south side of the North Franklin Mountains, 21 Apr 2007.

Plant habit at Dripping Spings on the west side of the Organ Mts., 4/23/04.