BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Echinocereus fendleri
Size:
8 - 30 cm
CACTACEAE -- Cactus Family
Description:
Plant often solitary, sometimes in clumps, stems
egg-shaped to cylindrical, 4 – 7.5 cm in
diameter, soft and flabby, with 7 – 10 ribs.
Spines not obscuring stems. Central spine 0 or
1, dark, lightening with age, 1 – 4 cm long,
straight or slightly curved. Radial spines 5 – 9,
whitish, straight, spreading, 1 – 2 cm long.
Flowers borne on upper half of stems, funnelshaped,
5 – 7 cm long and wide. Inner petals
magenta, smooth edged. Outer petaloid parts
with pinkish edges and brownish mid-stripe.
Anthers yellow, stigma lobes green. Ovary tube
with white spines about 1 cm long. Fruit green
turning red, round, fleshy.
169
Common Name:
Fendler hedgehog, strawberry cactus
Color:
Magenta
Notes:
The flowers of this Echinocereus are quite large
and extremely attractive. It is easy to spot these
cacti blooming as far away as 50 yards. The
fruit of this cactus is edible. Reportedly the
Hopis use the fruits not only fresh, but also dry
them for later use as a sweetener. Fendler
hedgehog blooms from late April into June
between 6000 and 8000 ft.
New Mexico Native