# Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus (*Echinocereus viridiflorus*) The Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus is a special plant that grows in the desert. It has bright green flowers that bloom in the spring, making it look like a little green star! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Desert ![Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Echinocereus_viridiflorus.jpg&width=800) Photo: Michael Wolf, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Echinocereus_viridiflorus.jpg) ## Appearance The Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus has small, cylindrical stems that often grow in clumps, covered in dense, sharp spines. Its striking green to yellowish-green flowers bloom near the stem's apex, sometimes with bronze or purple tips, making it visually distinct from other cacti. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Caryophyllales - **Family:** Cactaceae - **Genus:** Echinocereus ## Interesting facts - Its sweet, red fruits are safe to eat and taste like tiny strawberries! - Look closely! Its flowers aren't always just green; they can have bronze or purple tips! - Some types of these cacti can even survive frosty desert nights, not just scorching heat! - This little cactus often grows in clumps, making a "hedgehog" shape on the desert floor! ## Special abilities - **Water Warehouse:** Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus can store water in its thick stems, helping it survive long dry spells. - **Spine Shield:** This cactus has sharp, dense spines that defend its juicy stems from hungry desert animals. - **Heat Guard:** Its dense spines also help shade the cactus stem, protecting it from intense desert sun. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 5-30 cm - **Spread:** 10-30 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** cactus bee (*Diadasia olivacea*) — Carries pollen between its unique green flowers - **Eats:** southern plains woodrat (*Neotoma micropus*) — Feeds on its sweet, red fruit - **Eaten by:** [desert cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus audubonii*) — Browses on its tender cactus pads - **Pollinates:** honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Helps spread pollen for cactus reproduction ## 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. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Be careful not to touch the cactus, as it has sharp spines. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus? 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 Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus? 5-30 cm ### How wide does Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus spread? 10-30 cm ### How big are the flowers on Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus? 2-3 cm ### When does Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus bloom? Spring ### Is Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus edible? Yes ### Is Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus toxic? None ### What is Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Old Colorado City](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-colorado-city) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood ## 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: [Green-flower Hedgehog Cactus Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/green-flower-hedgehog-cactus)