Synonyms:

Cereus flaviflorus
Cereus glomeratus
Cereus maritimus
Cereus maritimus
Echinocereus flaviflorus
Echinocereus hancockii
Echinocereus maritimus subsp. hancockii
Echinocereus maritimus subsp. maritimus
Echinocereus maritimus var. hancockii
Echinocereus orcuttii

Habitat:

Echinocereus maritimus, an endemic species of the western coast of Baja California and adjacent islands, has an extent of occurrence of 12,000 km2, with its type locality in Ensenada, Lower California. This species inhabits littoral sand dunes and rocky areas a few kilometers inland, typically at low elevations. It thrives in shrub desert and flat sedimentary hills near the coast, growing in stony-loamy and sandy loamy soil alongside locally endemic succulents such as Euphorbia misera and Agave sebastiana, as well as several cacti including Bergerocactus emoryi, Lophocereus schottii, and Mammillaria brandegeei. The species faces significant threats, including urban development from informal temporary settlements of fishermen that leave behind rubbish and create access paths for further development and tourism disturbance. Agriculture, particularly tomato plantations, also poses a threat, as does the production of alternative sources of energy from tides. While the species occurs within protected areas, the threats to its survival in most of its range are likely to persist into the future.

Description:

Echinocereus maritimus is a cactus that branches out and forms colonies with cylindrical stems, which can be up to 30-40 cm tall and 0.6-2 m wide, with as many as 20-300 stems. It has clear yellow flowers that bloom in the spring and are hidden from the moon. The cactus is variable throughout its range, with sparsely-spined and small populations on Natividad Island and robust and heavily armed forms at San Hipolito Bay, including giant forms on Cedros Island. The individual joints of the cactus are globose to cylindrical, light to dark green, and 5-16(-30) cm high, with 8-10 (or more) acute ribs and areoles that are 10 to 12 mm apart. The spines are bright red when young, becoming dirty yellow or horn-colored and then fading to grey, with four or more stout, strongly flattened and angled central or upper spines that are erect and 2.5-6 cm long and 7-10 spreading radial or lower spines that are 1.5-5 cm long. The small, funnel-shaped flowers arise below the stem tips, are light to bright yellow, and are about 3-4(-6) cm long and in diameter, usually not opening broadly because of interlaced spines of the plant. The blooming season occurs occasionally over a long period from spring to autumn, with a peak in May, while the globose, green fruits, which become red and spiny, are about 3 cm in diameter.

Cultivation:

Echinocereus maritimus is quite easy to take care of and makes for great potted plants. To grow it, you’ll need a mineral-rich soil that’s well-draining and has little organic matter. While it grows slowly, you can speed up its growth by giving it enough water, warmth, and a diluted liquid fertilizer during its active growing season. Be careful not to overwater it, though, as it’s prone to rot. Echinocereus maritimus offsets readily, so it can form clumps in just a few years. This plant likes to be in a sunny spot that gets direct morning or afternoon sun. It requires more moisture than true desert cacti, but still needs good drainage to avoid rotting. In its natural environment, it’s very cold-resistant and can handle temperatures down to -10° to -25°C for short periods of time. It can grow outdoors in Mediterranean warm-temperate climates, but it should be kept above 5°C and dry in the winter. Repot it every two years and give it lots of space to grow in a large, shallow container with generous drain holes.

Propagation:

Echinocereus maritimus can be propagated by seed or by offsets. Seeds can be sown in a well-draining cactus mix in spring, and should germinate within a few weeks if kept warm and moist. Once the seedlings have grown their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots. Offsets, or “pups”, can be removed from the parent plant in early spring or late summer and planted in their own pots. Allow the cuttings to callus over for a day or two before planting to prevent rotting. Water sparingly until the new plant establishes roots. It’s important to handle Echinocereus maritimus with care, as the spines can be sharp and can easily break off and cause injury.

Curiosity:

The name “Echinocereus” comes from the Greek words “echinos” meaning “hedgehog” and “keras” meaning “horn”, referring to the spiny, cylindrical stems of the cactus. The species name “maritimus” means “of the sea” in Latin, referring to the coastal habitat of this cactus. Echinocereus maritimus is commonly known as the sea-urchin cactus or coastal hedgehog cactus.

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