What is a Strawberry Hedgehog
Below is a transcription of the above sign found at the Valley of Fire Visitor Center.
Strawberry Hedgehog or Calico Cactus – Echinocereus engelmannii
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Order: Caryophyllales
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Genus: Echinocereus
- Species: E. engelmannii
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COMMUNITY
Mixed Cliff Semi-Scrub and Creosote Bush Scrub
HABITAT
Rocky slopes in higher parts of desert.
ELEVATION
2500 to 3800 ft (800 to 1250m)
TYPE OF SOIL
Limestone cliffs, gravelly slopes
SOURCE OF WATER
Surface
BLOOMS
April-June
HEIGHT
6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm)
POLLINATION
Insects, wind
ADAPTATION FOR SURVIVAL
Showy blossoms attract pollinators.
Like all cacti, stores water in stem to draw on during drought.
COMMENTS
Sweet and juicy dark red fruit tastes like ripe strawberry, hence the name.
A common cactus, important food for many birds and mammals, and a great delicacy to Indians of the region.