Echinocereus triglochidiatus, kingcup cactus

Abstract

This Species Review summarizes the fire effects information and relevant ecology of kingcup cactus in North America that was available in the scientific literature as of 2018. Kingcup cactus is a small cactus native to the American Southwest. It typically grows in rocky crevices in shrublands and conifer woodlands, and fingers into desert grasslands at low elevations. Its stems occur singly or in mounds up to 4 feet in diameter. Only limited information was available on regeneration and successional patterns of kingcup cactus. Hummingbirds and bees pollinate the flowers, and ants may disperse the tiny seeds. It clones from offshoots of the parent stem and from fallen stem fragments. It grows on disturbed and undisturbed sites. Information on fire effects and postfire response was lacking for this species. In general, Echinocereus species are sensitive to fire, showing high rates of mortality. Mortality may be lessened when fuel loads are low. Echinocereus cacti may show delayed mortality over several postfire years. While kingcup cactus is usually unpalatable due to its dense spines, postfire browsing can cause high rates of damage or mortality if fire burns off the spines.

Citation

Fryer, Janet L.; Matthews, Robin F. 2018. Echinocereus triglochidiatus, kingcup cactus. In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory. Online: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/cactus/echtri/all.html