Black Lace Cactus (Echinocereus reichenbachii var. albertii)
TPWD ©
- Texas Status
- Endangered
- U.S. Status
- Endangered, Listed 10/16/1979
- Description
- The outer spines of the black lace cactus are straight and white with dark purple tips. The spines look like the teeth in a comb. Its stems are 1 - 6 inches tall and 1 - 2 inches wide. In the springtime, the black lace cactus produces pink to purple flowers, 2 - 3 inches wide.
- Life History
- Bees and wasps help the black lace cactus reproduce by spreading pollen from plant to plant. It blooms from April to June, producing fruits after the blooms fall off. As the small, spiny, green fruits ripen, the seeds fall or are washed to the ground by the rain. The black lace cactus is endangered because its rangeland habitat has been cleared or planted to crops. Since this cactus has large, pretty flowers, people have dug them up to take home or to sell. If you see this cactus, don't disturb it or the area where it is growing. Take a picture instead!
- Habitat
- Black lace cactus is found in grassy openings on south Texas rangeland invaded by mesquite and other shrubs.
- Distribution
- Known populations of the black lace cactus are in Kleberg, Jim Wells, and Refugio counties of south Texas.