Xerophyte

Habit

It is a low growing, scrubby cactus, that grows solitary or in small clumps with 5 to 20 stems.

Central Spines

Usually absent (or rarely one central, brown or blackish up to 2,5 cm long).

Description

Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleriSN|10576]]SN|8022]] is a weakly defined variety of the wide ranging and very variable Echinocereus fendleriSN|10576]]SN|7149]] distinguished by its unusually small spine clusters, with 2-6 radials that are up to 2,5 cm long and no central spine (or rarely one central), thus revealing more of the dark green stem surface as compared with standard var. fendleri. Moreover the flowers are very showy and comparatively larger ( up to 11 cm in diameter), the maximum flower size for the species, and it is therefore one of the most desirable ornamental species in the genus.

Note

Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleriSN|8026]]SN|8022]] (Castetter, P. Pierce & K. H. Schwerin) L. D. Benson and its Mexican counterpart, Echinocereus hempeliiSN|8022]]SN|8026]] Fobe, are based mainly on the stem feature.

Flowers

Close to the stem tips, funnelform, up to 11 cm in diameter purple and delicate, inner perianth segments relatively broad and fringed. Outer perianth segments thinner and entire.

Blooming Season

Spring (in habitat April to June).

Ribs

9-12 very tuberculate

Stem

10 to 30 cm tall, 5 to 10 cm in diameter, dark green, soft, with a flabby surface.

Radial Spines

Few (2 to 6) up to 2,5 cm long, very thick, angular, flattened, somewhat corky, chalky-white, and often curved or twisted. This spines are quite unusual, superficially resembles Echinocereus triglochidiatusSN|7149]]SN|10576]], and var. kuenzleri thus may be confused with young plants of Echinocereus triglochidiatusSN|8022]]SN|10576]] if not blooming.

Fruits

2,5-5 cm long, 12 mm in diameter, turning scarlet, less often orange-tan or purplish orange, pulp magenta or red. All varieties have delicious edible fruits.

Areoles

Circular areoles 8 to 17 mm apart.