Plants Mexico

Echinocereus - Hedgehog cactus

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Echinocereus: Hedgehog cactus.

There is about 45 species of Echinocereus living from Mexico to the south of the United States. The first part of the genus name Echinocereus is coming from the Greek for 'hedgehog', while the second part 'cereus' comes from the Latin for 'large candle'. They branches readily, over time making mounds 3 feet in diameter and 1 feet tall. This gave them the name of Hedgehog Cactus. The different species have a large range of colors from green to yellow, pink, orange, and red. The flowers are goblet shaped and stay open day and night. They are followed by showy red fruits.