Echinus

Morphological Summary

Small mesemb succulent genus in the Aizoaceae family, endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa. Forms low, compact shrubs with branch tips ending in sharp spines, a feature that gives the genus its name (from Greek echinos, hedgehog). The leaves are fleshy, small, and cylindrical to triangular in cross-section, densely arranged on branchlets. Flowers are solitary, with numerous narrow petals in white to pale pink, typical of the Ruschioideae subfamily. Belongs to tribe Ruschieae and is related to genera such as Ruschia and Lampranthus.