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:

General Information

Echinocereus scheeri is a spiny, evergreen, succulent, perennial cactus. A many-stemmed plant, sprouting basally and usually forming large, sprawling or creeping clumps. The stems are cylindrical, tapering toward the tips, 10 - 70cm long and up to 4cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is widely grown as an ornamental.
Echinocereus scheeri has a wide range, is locally abundant, and there are no known 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

Southwest N. America - northwest Mexico (Chihuahua, Durango, and Sonora )

Habitat

Steep cliffs, growing in crevices in granite and in humus pockets, also in canyons inside low dry forest and in pine-oak woodlands and forest clearings; at elevations from 300 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The ovoid, bright green fruits have a white pulp[], The fruit is covered with sharp spines, but these are easily dehiscent[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -