General: Baker Kingcup Cactus (Echinocereus bakeri), is a mound-shaped plant formed of several to many stems to about 1-foot tall and covered with spines. The red flowers are small for a cactus species, reaching only about 2-inches diameter. Each stem has 11-13 ribs. There are 10-12 radial spines and usually 1-3 central spines, the longest central spine usually points downward.

In Nevada, Baker Kingcup Cactus is an uncommon component of vegetation communities on well-drained gravelly and rocky granitic soils on upper bajadas and slopes into the mountains in the Upper Sonoran (Pinyon-Juniper Woodland). Around Las Vegas, Kingcup Cactus can be found most easily in the Pinyon-Juniper woodlands of southern Gold Butte National Monument, near Jumbo Peak.

Family: Cactus (Cactaceae).

Other Names:

Plant Form: Mound-shaped plant formed of several to many stems.

Height: Usually to about 9 inches tall, to 14 inches.

Trunk: None.

Stems: Entire, cylindrical; mound composed usually of up to about 15 individual stems (but to several dozen), each stem about 2 inches diameter, bluish green.

Stem Surface: Ribbed, 11-13 ribs per stem.

Spines: Radial spines 10-12. Central spines usually 1-3, the longest usually pointing downward.

Glochids: Absent.

Flowers: Blooms during spring (April in Gold Butte). Inflorescence: Solitary flowers emerge from near the stem tips. Flowers: Red with yellow center; cylindrical tube with radiating petals to about 2-inches diameter.

Fruit: Cylindrical, about 3/4-inch long, 1/2-inch diameter. Tan when ripe.

Seeds:

Habitat: In Nevada, dry, well-drained gravelly and rocky granitic soils in mountains.

Distribution: In Arizona, a band across the state stretching from the east-central border to the northwestern corner. Also the southwest corner of Utah and the Gold Butte region of Nevada.

Elevation: About 5000–8000 feet.

Comments: Baker Kingcup Cactus was recently described as a species separate from Mojave Kingcup Cactus.