Horse Crippler
Devil’s Pincushion, Devil’s Head, Manca Caballo, Candy Cactus, Viznaga
Echinocactus texensis Hopffer
Whole plant
Family : Cactaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin : Native
Season : Cool
Horse Crippler is a round-shaped cactus that grows very low to the ground. It is about 12 inches in diameter and is 2 to occasionally 8 inches in height. It is a very hardy cactus, that grows hidden in the grass. The name is due to the animal not seeing the plant, stepping on it, and the thorns penetrating the bottom of the horse’s foot and crippling it. Horse Crippler can be found growing in both the South Texas Plains and the Edwards Plateau. It blooms in the spring with pink to red orange flowers and has edible red berries for fruit.
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