Family: Cactaceae
Species: Kroenleinia (Echinocactus) grusonii Lodè
Common name: Cuscino della suocera (Mother-in-law’s cushion)
Etymology
Echinocactus comes from the Latin Echinos, meaning “hedgehog” or “spiny.” The appearance of this cactus—covered in long, prominent spines—evokes that of the animal.
Description
This plant is adapted to arid climates: its cylindrical stem, slightly flattened towards the apex, is green so it can carry out photosynthesis. The stems have wide, pronounced ribs. The leaves are transformed into spines to reduce water loss; these spines cover the entire plant, can be up to 2 centimetres long, and take on a characteristic straw-yellow colour.
In spring, a crown of funnel-shaped blooms appears at the top of the plant during flowering. Their colour varies from golden-yellow to reddish-purple, forming little bouquets from the apical fuzz.
Smaller species maintain a globular shape, while the larger ones are more spherical.
Habitat
North-eastern Mexico.
Notes and Curiosities
The decorative appeal of cacti lies in their unusual forms, which differ significantly from those of more traditional plants. From tiny globes to prostrate stems, from spherical shapes to large, columnar structures, cacti feature spines or deep ribs that lend a distinctly symmetrical yet elegant appearance.
In the Heller garden’s greenhouse, the rounded cushions of K. (E.) grusonii create a sculptural group of “living boulders,” standing in marked contrast to the vertical lines of the majestic cacti, branched Kalanchoe, and columnar euphorbias surrounding them. Their bright gold-coloured spines emphasise the spherical form, making this species incredibly decorative.