81 Species of Genus Echinocereus

Echinocereus: My Prickly Passion

Echinocereus. The name might sound like some kind of ancient Greek warrior, but it actually refers to a genus of cacti that has captured my heart. These hardy plants, with their vibrant flowers and intriguing forms, have become a source of fascination and joy in my life.

I’m Ferb Vu, and I’ve been an avid cactus enthusiast for years. But there’s something about Echinocereus that sets them apart. Maybe it’s their resilience, thriving in harsh desert environments where few other plants can survive. Or perhaps it’s the sheer diversity within the genus, with each species boasting its own unique characteristics. Whatever the reason, I’m hooked.

A World of Variety

One of the things I love most about Echinocereus is the incredible range of shapes and sizes they come in. Some species, like Echinocereus viridiflorus, hug the ground, their stems forming sprawling mats. Others, like Echinocereus polyacanthus, stand tall and proud, their columnar forms reaching skyward.

And then there are the spines. Oh, the spines! From the short and stubby to the long and needle-like, Echinocereus spines come in all shapes and sizes. Some are even adorned with intricate patterns and colors, adding another layer of visual interest.

But the real showstopper is the flowers. Echinocereus are known for their large, showy blooms, which erupt in a riot of color come springtime. Reds, pinks, purples, yellows – you name it, there’s an Echinocereus that blooms in that hue. And the best part? The flowers often last for several days, providing a long-lasting spectacle of beauty.

My Favorite Species

With over 80 species of Echinocereus, it’s hard to pick favorites:

  1. Echinocereus acanthosetus (S.Arias & U.Guzmán) Gómez-Quint. & Dan.Sánchez
  2. Echinocereus acifer (Otto ex Salm-Dyck) Haage
  3. Echinocereus adustus Engelm.
  4. Echinocereus albatus Backeb.
  5. Echinocereus apachensis W.Blum & Rutow
  6. Echinocereus arizonicus Rose ex Orcutt
  7. Echinocereus bakeri W.Blum, Oldach & J.Oldach
  8. Echinocereus barthelowianus Britton & Rose
  9. Echinocereus berlandieri (Engelm.) Haage
  10. Echinocereus bonkerae Thornber & Bonker
  11. Echinocereus brandegeei (J.M.Coult.) Schelle
  12. Echinocereus bristolii W.T.Marshall
  13. Echinocereus canus D.Felix & H.Bauer
  14. Echinocereus chisoensis W.T.Marshall
  15. Echinocereus cinerascens (DC.) Haage
  16. Echinocereus coccineus Engelm.
  17. Echinocereus dasyacanthus Engelm.
  18. Echinocereus engelmannii (Parry ex Engelm.) Lem.
  19. Echinocereus enneacanthus Engelm.
  20. Echinocereus fasciculatus (Engelm. ex B.D.Jacks.) L.D.Benson
  21. Echinocereus felixianus H.Bauer
  22. Echinocereus fendleri (Engelm.) Sencke ex Haage
  23. Echinocereus ferreiranus H.E.Gates
  24. Echinocereus freudenbergeri G.Frank
  25. Echinocereus grandis Britton & Rose
  26. Echinocereus gurneyi (L.D.Benson) W.Blum, Oldach & J.Oldach
  27. Echinocereus huitcholensis (F.A.C.Weber) M.Gürke
  28. Echinocereus knippelianus Liebner
  29. Echinocereus kroenleinii (Mich.Lange) W.Blum & Waldeis
  30. Echinocereus × kunzei Gürke
  31. Echinocereus laui G.Frank
  32. Echinocereus ledingii Peebles
  33. Echinocereus leucanthus N.P.Taylor
  34. Echinocereus longisetus (Engelm.) Lem.
  35. Echinocereus mapimiensis E.F.Anderson, W.C.Hodg. & P.Quirk
  36. Echinocereus maritimus (M.E.Jones) K.Schum.
  37. Echinocereus marksianus Fritz Schwarz ex Backeb.
  38. Echinocereus × neomexicanus Standl.
  39. Echinocereus nicholii (L.D.Benson) B.D.Parfitt
  40. Echinocereus occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) W.Rischer, S.Breckw. & Breckw.
  41. Echinocereus ortegae Rose
  42. Echinocereus pacificus (Engelm.) Britton & Rose
  43. Echinocereus palmeri Britton & Rose
  44. Echinocereus pamanesii A.B.Lau
  45. Echinocereus papillosus Linke ex C.F.Först. & Rümpler
  46. Echinocereus parkeri N.P.Taylor
  47. Echinocereus pectinatus (Scheidw.) Engelm.
  48. Echinocereus pentalophus (DC.) Engelm. ex Haage
  49. Echinocereus perplexus W.Blum & A.P.Campos
  50. Echinocereus polyacanthus Engelm.
  51. Echinocereus poselgeri Lem.
  52. Echinocereus primolanatus Fritz Schwarz ex N.P.Taylor
  53. Echinocereus pseudopectinatus (N.P.Taylor) N.P.Taylor
  54. Echinocereus pulchellus (Mart.) K.Schum.
  55. Echinocereus rayonesensis N.P.Taylor
  56. Echinocereus rebmanii W.Blum & R.Goris
  57. Echinocereus reichenbachii (Terscheck) Haage
  58. Echinocereus relictus Wellard
  59. Echinocereus rigidissimus (Engelm.) Hirscht
  60. Echinocereus × roetteri (Engelm.) Engelm. ex Rümpler
  61. Echinocereus russanthus D.Weniger
  62. Echinocereus salm-dyckianus Scheer
  63. Echinocereus santaritensis W.Blum & Rutow
  64. Echinocereus scheeri (Salm-Dyck) Scheer
  65. Echinocereus schereri G.Frank
  66. Echinocereus schmollii (Weing.) N.P.Taylor
  67. Echinocereus sciurus (Brandegee) Dams
  68. Echinocereus scopulorum Britton & Rose
  69. Echinocereus sharpii (N.P.Taylor) Dan.Sánchez & Gómez-Quint.
  70. Echinocereus spinigemmatus A.B.Lau
  71. Echinocereus stoloniferus W.T.Marshall
  72. Echinocereus stramineus (Engelm.) Haage
  73. Echinocereus subinermis Salm-Dyck ex Scheer
  74. Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm.
  75. Echinocereus viereckii Werderm.
  76. Echinocereus viridiflorus Engelm.
  77. Echinocereus waldeisii Haugg
  78. Echinocereus websterianus G.E.Linds.
  79. Echinocereus weinbergii Weing.
  80. Echinocereus yavapaiensis M.A.Baker
  81. Echinocereus zapalinamensis W.Blum & J.Flores Ventura

More Than Just a Pretty Face

While their beauty is undeniable, Echinocereus offer more than just aesthetics. For centuries, these cacti have played an important role in the lives of indigenous peoples. The fruits of many species are edible, providing a source of nutrition in arid environments. And some species have even been used medicinally, to treat ailments ranging from burns to stomach aches.

Growing Echinocereus

If you’re thinking of adding Echinocereus to your own plant collection, you’re in for a treat. These cacti are relatively easy to care for, as long as you provide them with the right conditions. Here are a few tips:

  • Sunlight: Echinocereus need plenty of sunlight to thrive, so make sure they’re placed in a sunny spot.
  • Drainage: Good drainage is essential, as these cacti are prone to root rot in soggy soil. Use a well-draining cactus mix and make sure the pot has drainage holes.
  • Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
  • Temperature: Most Echinocereus can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they prefer warm, dry conditions.

With a little care and attention, your Echinocereus will reward you with years of beauty and enjoyment.

A Lifelong Journey

My journey with Echinocereus is far from over. I’m constantly learning new things about these fascinating plants, and I’m always on the lookout for new species to add to my collection. The world of Echinocereus is vast and diverse, and I can’t wait to see what other wonders it holds.

Scroll to Top