Xerophyte

Habit

Clustering forming somewhat open clumps with 5 to 20(-30) heads.

Central Spines

Usually single (or sometimes 2 to 4, of which one is longer), grey to dark brown with darker tips, at right angles to the stem, going upward at the stem tips, 2.5-8 cm long.

Description

Echinocereus fasciculatusSN|18730]] looks very similar to Echinocereus engelmannii and some authors think they are the same species, but usually E. fasciculatus has 1 principal central spine whereas the similar Echinocereus fasciculatusSN|18730]] has 2 to 6 central spines per areole. Two susbpecies are recognized, the nominate and subsp. boyce-thompsonii (Orcutt) N.P.Taylor.

Flowers

Borne on the upper part of the stem, broadly funnel-form, pink to magenta or reddish purple, 5-6.5 cm long and in diameter.

Blooming Season

Spring (march to April), flowers are diurnal, closing at night and reopening in the morning, and last for about five days.

Spines

Not obscuring the stem, usually straight, individual spines with broad zones of different colours

Ribs

8-10(-15), not distinctly tuberculate, crests slightly undulate.

Stem

Cylindrical to elongate, mostly erect, green, (5-)15-45 cm tall, 4-8(-10) cm in diameter.

Radial Spines

(7-)11-13(-15) shorter ones, 5-20 mm long.

Fruits

Green, globose, fleshy, 2-3 cm in diameter, turning red as it ripens. The fruit is edible (if you can reach it through the spines). It is said to taste like strawberries, and is eaten readily by birds and rodents.

May-July.