Preliminary report on the reproductive biology of the threatened Chisos Mountain hedgehog cactus

Abstract

The Chisos Mountain hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus chisoensis, Cactaceae) is a narrow endemic restricted to an approximately 100 square mile area in Big Bend National Park, Texas. It was listed as threatened in 1987 as Echinocereus chisoensis var. chisoensis. An investigation of the reproductive biology and pollination ecology conducted in 1999 and 2000 revealed the taxon to be homogamous, self-incompatible, xenogamous, and heavily dependent upon the cactus oligolectic bee, Diadasia rinconis (Anthophoridae) for pollination. Despite infrequent bee visitation, fruit set from open pollination is high and fruits produce large numbers of seeds. Predation in 2002, probably from rodents as a result of severe drought conditions, was severe on plants, flower buds, and fruits.

Parent Publication

• Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Third Conference

Citation

Amos, Bonnie B.; Vassiliou, Christos. 2001. Preliminary report on the reproductive biology of the threatened Chisos Mountain hedgehog cactus. In: Maschinski, Joyce; Holter, Louella, tech. eds. Southwestern rare and endangered plants: Proceedings of the Third Conference; 2000 September 25-28; Flagstaff, AZ. Proceedings RMRS-P-23. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 191-199.