# Devilshead (*Echinocactus horizonthalonius*) The Devilshead is a unique cactus that looks like a little green ball with spines! It grows in the desert and can survive in very hot weather, making it a special plant for dry places. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Devilshead](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Echinocactus_horizontalonius.jpg&width=800) Photo: CactiLegacy, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Echinocactus_horizontalonius.jpg) ## Appearance The Devilshead is a striking, solitary, globe-shaped cactus, ranging from blue-green to grayish-green. It has prominent, sharply angled ribs topped with stout, reddish-brown to black spines that often curve. Its vibrant pink to magenta flowers emerge from the crown, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Cactaceae - **Genus:** Echinocactus ## Interesting facts - Despite its name and spines, the small, tart, red fruits are safe for humans to eat! - Its scientific name "Echinocactus" means "spiny cactus," perfectly describing its tough exterior! - The Devilshead's beautiful pink flowers often only open for a single day before closing again! - These amazing cacti can live for over 100 years, making them ancient desert dwellers! ## Special abilities - **Accordion Stem:** Devilshead has a ribbed stem that expands and contracts like an accordion to store vast amounts of water during droughts. - **Thorny Armor:** Devilshead has long, hooked spines that create a formidable defense, deterring hungry desert animals from eating it. - **Waxy Sunscreen:** Devilshead has a thick, waxy coating on its skin that reflects harsh sunlight and significantly reduces water loss. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-25 cm - **Spread:** 15-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 4-7 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Cactus bee (*Diadasia enavata*) — main pollinator of its flowers - **Eaten by:** [Collared peccary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collared-peccary) (*Pecari tajacu*) — occasionally eats the cactus pads and fruits - **Eaten by:** [White-throated woodrat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-throated-woodrat) (*Neotoma albigula*) — consumes fruits and sometimes cactus tissue - **Symbiotic with:** [Creosote bush](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creosote-bush) (*Larrea tridentata*) — often shares its arid desert habitat ## Traits - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth. - [Drought Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/drought-tolerant): Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability. - [Succulent](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/succulent): Succulent plants have thickened, fleshy parts, usually leaves or stems, adapted to store water in arid climates. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the spines, as they can be sharp! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Devilshead? Compare leaf arrangement, rosette shape, ribs, spines and flowers. Keep in mind that drought and strong sun can shift a plant's color and shape. Succulent Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Devilshead? 10-25 cm ### How wide does Devilshead spread? 15-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Devilshead? 4-7 cm ### When does Devilshead bloom? Spring to early summer ### Is Devilshead edible? Yes ### Is Devilshead toxic? None ### What is Devilshead's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Mariscal Mine](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mariscal-mine) — Texas, US · Historic Site - [Rattlesnake Springs Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rattlesnake-springs-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-museum-and-chihuahuan-desert-gardens) — US · Botanical Garden - [Rancho Estelle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/rancho-estelle) — US · Historic District - [Alameda Park Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alameda-park-zoo) — New Mexico, US · Zoo - [Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument) — New Mexico, US · National Park [View all places to see Devilshead](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/devilshead) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Devilshead: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/devilshead)