Species introCountry intro
Hedgehog Cactus
the newest information available lists this a separate species from P. simpsonii rather than a subspecies
This particular wildlife area shares it's lands with a wind and solar power installation. Because these little guys are rare, each time a wind tower is erected all of the cacti are carefully moved to a new location.
Single or clumps of small round to oblong stems 3–5 in. across. Strong vertical ridges carry warts with clusters of 8–12 stout, upright, white spines with reddish brown to nearly black tips and smaller yellow or white spreading spines. Flowers rose to bright magenta, 1–1 1/2 in., crowded at top center, surrounded by woolly hairs. Grows in dry mountain valleys, rocky ridges. Var. robustior (pictured) is a clustered plant from Pacific Northwest with vivid flowers, rose fragrance.
