The taxonomy of this genus is complicated due to fuzzy taxonomic boundaries, polytypic taxa, and differing interpretations by specialists. Most North American botanists recognize about 50 species, while the Echinocereus specialists in Germany recognize more than 70 species[]. We are following the treatment of David Hunt, 2016 in CITES Cactaceae Checklist, Third Edition, ISBN 978-0-9933113-2-1.

Common Name: Hedgehog Cactus

General Information

Echinocereus fendleri is a spiny, evergreen, succulent perennial cactus. Plants, especially when young, are usually simple, sometimes branching bassaly to form loose clumps of up to 10 somewhat flaccid stems. Stems are erect or slightly decumbent, cylindrical, 8 - 17cm high , occasionally to 30cm, and 4 - 10cm in diameter[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental[].
Echinocereus fendleri has a very wide range, is abundant, and although there are threats in places these are not sufficient to warrant any concern. The increase in windmill farm construction, however, is becoming a major threat and should be considered in future evaluations. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southwest N. America - Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, northern Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila)

Habitat

Semi-desert scrub, grasslands and pine-juniper woodland, on sandy, gravelly soils of grasslands and woodlands, and on edges of deserts; at elevations from 30 - 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Very cold resistant, reportedly to 0°F (-18°C) or less, but needs good drainage and protection from excessive moisture in winter[]
In cultivation, Cactus plants generally will not succeed in moist climates. They usually require a sunny position in a well-drained, circumneutral soil and to be kept more or less dry in the dormant season[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[, ]. Eaten fresh or dried and used as a sweetening[]. The ovoid, purplish fruit is around 25 - 30mm long (occasionally to 50mm) and 12mm in diameter[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -