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: Órgano-pequeño Peine

General Information

Echinocereus pectinatus is a spiny, evergreen, succulent perennial cactus. Plants, especially when young, are usually unbranched, with age often producing a few branches from near the base. The stems are erect, shortly cylindrical or sometimes spherical, 8 - 17cm high , occasionally to 25cm, and 6 - 10cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is often grown as an ornamental.
Echinocereus pectinatus has a very wide range, is abundant, and although there are threats in places
these are not sufficient to warrant any concern. The plant is classified as 'least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern N. America - Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, northern and central Mexico

Habitat

Xerophyllous scrub, degraded grasslands, limestone outcrops; at elevations from 300 - 1,900 metres[, ].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

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 - raw. A sweet flavour[]. The globose to elliptical, dark purplish fruit is around 20 - 30cm in diameter[, ]. The spines on the fruit generally fall off as the fruit ripens[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -