Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii

Hedgehog Cactus, Echinocereus engelmannii

Hedgehog Cactus, Cactacae Family Echinocereus engelmannii	Echinocerens is from Greek echinos, meaning "a hedgehog," and cereus meaning "a wax taper."
Echinocereus engelmannii	Flowers Bloom About Two Weeks

Hedgehog Cactus Echinocereus engelmannii, Cactus family ( Cactaceae ), Hedgehog Cactus. Also called Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus. The more common strawberry hedgehog has bright pink flowers in spring, but some varieties have different colors, from purple to lavender. The flowers are up to 3 inches in diameter, 2 to 3.2 inches long. The flowers close at night and reopen in the morning Growth Habits: Clumping columnar cactus, mostly erect light green stems, 4 to 12 inches tall (10-30 cm), 2 to 4 inches diameter (5-10 cm), branching freely from the base; 11 to 14 low obtuse ribs; 4 to 6 yellow or brownish central spines, 2 to 3 inches long (5-7 cm); 10 to 13 radials, 0.4 inch long (1 cm). Height: Up To About 20" Tall. Most are 6" - 8". Flowers: Red-violet or fuchsia colored flowers; Cup Shaped, 2" - 3" long and wide. Blossoms last for about five days. Flowers close at night and reopen in the morning. Green stigma in center. Stems: Cylendrical and Green, up to 3" in diameter. with 10 - 13 small ribs. They often grow together in a base of a loose cluster of stems which can spread out as large as 3" in size. Spines: Straight 4 to 6 yellow or brownish central spines, 2 to 3 inches long ; 10 to 13 radials, 0.4 inch long . Blooming Time: April - August Fruit: Red, Up to 1" long and 3/4" in diameter fruit which is edible. It is said to taste like strawberries, and is eaten by birds and rodents. Found: Throughout Arizona. Normally at well drained deserts and slopes. There are 6 species of Echinocereus in Arizona. Elevation: 0 - 8000 Feet. Habitat: Desert; sandy slopes, flats, and rocky hillsides. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken April 23, 2003 and April 13, 2004 near Lake Pleasant.