GREEN STRAWBERRY-CACTUS 



Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelman 



One of the commonest members of the cactus family in the 

 western United States is the green strawberry-cactus, which grows 

 abundantly in many places in the Rocky Mountain region, usually 

 about rocks on the foothills, or along the stony banks of stream 

 beds. Because of its neat habit, and beautifully colored spines, the 

 plant is one of the most attractive of our cactuses, and is frequently 

 used as a pot plant. The spines, although sharp, are placed in such 

 a manner that they are not very offensive when the plant is han- 

 dled, in spite of the fact that they protect it effectively from ani- 

 mals which might eat the succulent stem. The flowers are small, 

 and inconspicuously colored. The small green juicy fruits are edible 

 when ripe. 



The green strawberry-cactus ranges from western Texas and the 

 desert of northern Mexico as far northward as southern Wyoming. 

 The specimen sketched came from Texas. 



PLATE 308 



