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    Echinocereus reichenbachii / fitchii ssp. albertii



      
    albertii

    McMullen County

    "albertii"


    Although some Europeans currently consider the endangered "albertii" taxon of Echinocereus to be a subspecies of E. fitchii, others in Europe and the U.S. still consider it to be a subspecies or variety of E. reichenbachii.   
       Molecular study is ongoing to establish a better understanding of the relationships in this area. Just within what is recognized to be albertii there is considerable variation between the known populations.


    [Publications & information on the endangered status of this species.]

    Our thanks to Peter Berresford for sharing the first three in-habitat images below.
        

    albertii-IMG_1543-PeterBerresford

    Kleberg County



    albertii-IMG_1530-PeterBerresford

    Kleberg County
    albertii-IMG_1514-PeterBerresford

    Refugio County

    Echinocereus fitchii ssp albertii Kleberg County

    Kleberg County

    Echinocereus-fitchii-albertii_Refugio

    Refugio County

    Echinocereus-fitchii-alberti

    Kleberg County


    Echinocereus fitchii albertii from Refugio County

    Refugio County

    albertii

    Kleberg County
    McMullen
    albertii

    Kleberg County


    Refugio County

    Refugio County


    Refugio County

    Refugio County

    albertii
    albertii
    albertii


    Plant above was rescued from a feral hog digging in McMullen County; flowering in cultivation April 2015 & March 2016

    The other four images are in habitat.
    albertii
    albertii
    albertii
    albertii
    albertii

    McMullen County


    albertii

    McMullen County



    Echinocereus-fitchii-albertii

    McMullen County (I)





      There is considerable variation in the few known populations indicating a great need for molecular study.

    albertii

    McMullen County



      "albertii" was also suggested as the identity of another population in McMullen County, Texas. This had been collected in 1995 and is now under cultivation at SRSU. That identification has been called into question and a hybrid origin was suggested. We will add a correction of the proposed identity as soon as we can see this specimen flower.


    albertii

    McMullen County "JB" in 2013

    Additional images and McMullen County collections by JLB



    An albertii seedling

    albertii

    This was grown from seeds collected by Jackie Poole.



    Images of the Kleberg County population


    Images of the McMullen County population


    Images of the Refugio County population



    For comparison:

      Echinocereus fitchii ssp. fitchii


    fitchii

    Photograph courtesy of Peter Berresford





    Echinocereus reichenbachii spp. caespitosa

    caespitosa




    Echinocereus reichenbachii spp. reichenbachii



    This name is now commonly restricted to a Mexican population.




    Echinocereus reichenbachii ssp. perbellus

    perbellus


      



    Cactus Conservation Institute