AClaret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)A
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Claret Cup Cactus -or Kingcup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Claret Cup is a species that is highly variable with many sub-species. This photo shows our first sighting of Claret Cup, which seems to match the main species. However, without genetic testing it is hard to say which, if any, subspecies this could be. Additional photos (right sidebar) of this cactus from a more recent sighting show examples of how different the conformation of the plant can be.
USES: Per the website Native American Ethnobotany are the following uses of Claret Cup by native americans: Isleta Water extracted from pulp in emergencies. Pulp macerated and cooked with sugar to make cakes. Pulp baked with sugar and used to make candy and cakes. Fruits, with spines removed by burning, eaten fresh and as conserves. Pulp baked with sugar to make sweet pickles. Pulp sliced and baked like squash. Dried pulp used as candles. Cochiti Stems pit roasted and eaten.
This species is pollinated by bees and hummingbirds.
Flower -
Plant location: Sighted hiking the Gates of Lodore in northwestern Colorado - June 1, 2015. The plants are found from 3,200 to 9,000' elevation. USA: AZ , CA , CO , NM , NV , TX , UT Plant -
Bloom season: May through July (late spring to mid-summer).
Foliage -
Gates of Lodore hike in northwestern Colorado - June 1, 2015 -
Found on Shelf Road, nearing Canon City Colorado - June 21, 2015. -
Gates of Lodore hike in northwestern Colorado - June 1, 2015 -
Found on Shelf Road, nearing Canon City Colorado - June 21, 2015.
Note the amount of space between the spines in this specimen. -
Gates of Lodore hike in northwestern Colorado - June 1, 2015 -
Another specimen found on Shelf Road, nearing Canon City Colorado - June 21, 2015. -
Near Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge - Northwestern Colorado - June 2, 2015 -
Found on Shelf Road, nearing Canon City Colorado - June 21, 2015. -
Gates of Lodore hike in northwestern Colorado - June 1, 2015 -