Echinomastus Intertextus

Echinomastus intertextus inhabits mid elevation regions, up to 6,500 feet, higher than many other cactus species; mostly grassy places, or within light woodland. The common name, woven-spine pineapple cactus, refers to the usual array of the spines, nearly all of which (excepting the downward-pointing central spine), are closely appressed to the stem, and overlapping, forming a dense lattice. Plants with this characteristic are var intertextus, found in west Texas and southeast Arizona. There is however another variety, var dasyacanthus, along the Rio Grande in south and central New Mexico, and the Franklin Mountains near El Paso, for which all spines are spreading, held at a variety of angles.

The thick, solitary, dull green stems, up to 8 inches tall and 4 inches across, have around 13 ribs, bearing areoles a little less than half an inch apart, with between 20 and 29 spines, of which four (occasionally five) are central, the rest radial. Ribs become somewhat spiralled with age. Spines are dull gray, pinkish or pale brown, pink or reddish at the tip.

The attractive flowers are pale pink to almost white, pale yellow around the base, with darker pinkish-brown midstripes underneath. Filaments and anthers are pale yellow; the stigma lobes are red to pink, occasionally white. Flowers usually last three days only. Fruits are rounded pods, green ageing to dull pink.