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: Mojave Mound cactus

General Information

Echinocereus polyacanthus is a spiny, succulent, evergreen, perennial cactus plant that sometimes forms a single stem or can branch from low-down to form clumps of as many as 400 stems. The stems are erectm cylindrical, around 10 - 30cm long and 2 - 7cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Echinocereus polyacanthus is widely distributed, locally common across its range, and there are no major threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - northern and western Mexico (Chihuahua to Jalisco)

Habitat

Rocky outcrops in oak and pine woodlands, rocky mountain slopes in volcanic or sedimentary rocks with humus pockets; at elevations from 1,300 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The ovoid, green fruits have a white pulp[], The fruit is covered with sharp spines and is difficult to utilize, though the flavour is good[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -