#echinofossulocactus

Stenocactus crispatus

Stenocactus is a wonderful genus of cacti from Mexico, commonly called “brain cacti” because their wiggly ridges are reminiscent of the folds of a brain. This species, Stenocactus crispatus, occurs in several states in southern Mexico, and it is very variable in its spines. The top 2 photos are of a form received as “Stenocactus violaciflorus”, with violet-pink flowers and long spines, while the lower photo is a form distributed by the International Succulent Institute back in 1988, from seed collected in San Luis Potosi. The name applied at the time was Echinofossulocactus crispatus, but now the name Stenocactus is used for the genus.

Stenocactus coptonogonus

The genus Stenocactus (sometimes called by the alternative name of Echinofossulocactus) is a group of relatively small cacti native to Mexico. Many of the species have lots of narrow sinuous ribs, calling to mind the folds of a brain, so they are often called “brain cacti”. However, Stenocactus coptonogonus is a departure from this, since it has fewer ribs which are not sinuous. Its flowers, however. look like those found in other species of the genus, with a purple stripe running down the middle of each petal. It is found in numerous states in central Mexico.