Biznaga gigante (Echinocactus platyacanthus, Verh. Vereins Beförd. Gartenbaues Königl. Preuss. Staaten 3: 423 (1827))

Family: Cactaceae

Author: Link & Otto

Bibliography: Verh. Vereins Beförd. Gartenbaues Königl. Preuss. Staaten 3: 423 (1827)

Year: 1827

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Echinocactus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico (Nuevo León to Oaxaca)

Description

The Biznaga gigante, scientifically known as Echinocactus platyacanthus, is an extraordinary species of cactus renowned for its impressive size and striking appearance. This botanical marvel is indigenous to Mexico, thriving primarily in regions ranging from Nuevo León to Oaxaca.

Characteristically, the Biznaga gigante exhibits a robust, spherical form that can reach immense proportions, sometimes exceeding a meter in height and diameter. The plant’s surface is adorned with pronounced ribs, each lined with formidable, thick spines that serve as a natural defense mechanism. These spines vary in color, often appearing in shades of white, yellow, or even a deep brown, forming a visually dynamic contrast against the green body of the cactus.

As a member of the Cactaceae family, Echinocactus platyacanthus shares many of the resilient traits typical of cacti, such as a remarkable ability to conserve water and thrive in arid environments. This adaptability is crucial for its survival in the harsh, dry conditions of its native habitat, where it often grows on rocky substrates and well-drained soils.

The Biznaga gigante is not only valued for its impressive physical presence but also for its ecological role. It provides a microhabitat for various desert-dwelling organisms and plays a significant part in the local ecosystem. Additionally, it has cultural and economic significance in Mexico. Locally, parts of the plant are utilized in traditional crafts, and historically, its pulp was used to produce a type of sweet called “chilitos de acitrón.”

This species was first described in 1827 by the botanists Link & Otto in their work documented in “Verhandlungen des Vereins zur Beförderung des Gartenbaues in den Königlichen Preußischen Staaten.” Over the years, the plant has gained recognition and is often a subject of interest for botanists and horticulturists alike due to its unique properties and impressive scale.

In conclusion, Echinocactus platyacanthus, or the Biznaga gigante, stands as a testament to the wondrous diversity of the plant kingdom. Its imposing size, distinctive features, and resilience make it a fascinating subject of study and an integral part of the arid landscapes of Mexico.

Common Names

Por: cactus
Spa: biznaga burra, biznaga de acitrón
En: Biznaga Gigante
Pt: Cactus
Es: Biznaga burra, Biznaga de Acitrón
: Biznaga gigante

Synonyms

• Echinocactus macracanthus (de Vriese)
• Echinofossulocactus macracanthus (Lawr.)
• Melocactus ingens (Karw. ex Pfeiff.)
• Echinocactus ingens var. grandis (Speg.)
• Echinocactus ingens (Zucc. ex Pfeiff.)
• Echinocactus platyceras (Lem.)
• Echinocactus platyacanthus f. visnaga ((Hook.) Bravo)
• Echinocactus karwinskii (Zucc. ex Pfeiff.)
• Echinofossulocactus helophorus var. longifossulatus (Lawr.)
• Melocactus tuberculatus (Link & Otto)
• Echinocactus ingens f. aulocogonus ((Lem.) Schelle)
• Echinocactus ingens f. helophorus ((Lem.) Schelle)
• Echinocactus saltillensis (Poselg.)
• Echinocactus grandis (Rose)
• Echinocactus minax (Lem.)
• Echinocactus grandis subsp. polycormus (Říha & Tabasco)
• Echinocactus grandis f. polycormus (Říha & Tabasco)
• Echinocactus tuberculatus var. spiralis (DC.)
• Echinocactus oligacanthus (Mart. ex Pfeiff.)
• Echinofossulocactus platyceras ((Lem.) Lawr.)
• Echinocactus aulacogonus (Lem.)
• Echinocactus palmeri (Rose)
• Echinocactus irroratus (Scheidw.)
• Echinocactus ingens f. saltillensis ((Poselg.) Schelle)
• Echinocactus helophorus (Lem.)
• Echinocactus platyacanthus var. palmeri ((Rose) H.P.Kelsey & Dayton)
• Echinocactus platyacanthus f. grandis ((Rose) Bravo)
• Echinocactus minax var. laevior (Lem.)
• Echinocactus viznaga (Hook.)
• Echinocactus aulacogonus var. diacopaulax (Lem.)
• Echinocactus visnaga (Hook.)
• Echinocactus platyceras var. laevior (C.F.Först.)
• Echinocactus platyceras var. minax (Salm-Dyck ex C.F.Först)
• Echinocactus ghiesbreghtianus (Lem.)
• Echinocactus ingens var. saltillensis ((Poselg.) K.Schum.)
• Echinocactus ingens var. viznaga ((Hook.) K.Schum.)
• Echinocactus edulis (Haage ex C.F.Först.)
• Echinocactus ingens var. helophorus ((Lem.) K.Schum.)
• Melocactus platyacanthus (Link & Otto)
• Echinocactus tuberculatus (Link & Otto)
• Echinocactus ingens f. viznaga ((Hook.) Voss)
• Echinocactus ingens var. subinermis (K.Schum.)
• Echinofossulocactus karwinskianus (Lawr.)
• Echinocactus helophorus var. laevior (Lem.)
• Echinocactus helophorus var. longifossulatus (Lem.)
• Echinocactus arachnoideus (Scheidw.)
• Echinofossulocactus helophorus ((Lem.) Lawr.)

Distribution

• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Sylvie TORRES (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2021 by Amsteff Spike (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2019 by nakamura (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 23, 2022 by Joshua RodTin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Ibarra Pavel (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Hernández Ramírez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2022 by Hernández Ramírez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2020 by Pineda Yarení (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Sara (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 10, 2022 by David Fragnaud (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 3, 2015 by Marek Tomczyk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2015 by Marek Tomczyk (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7279711)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:132080-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto)

Specifications

Growth