Accepted Scientific Name: Echinocereus enneacanthus Engelm. in Wisliz.
Mem. Tour N. Mexico [Wislizenus] 111-112. 1848. Wisliz., Wisliz., Wisliz.
Origin and Habitat: New Mexico, Texas and Northeastern Mexico (Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí and Coahuila)
Habitat: Chihuahuan desert scrub, flats, rarely rocky slopes; 600-1800 m.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Echinocereus enneacanthus
Description: Plants caespitose forming dense or lax clumps either loose decumbent, or erect with 20-100(-500) branches, usually branching before flowering. ,
Stems: 5-14 cm diameter up to over 100 cm long, The stems of this species are soft bright green and often remain wrinkled.
Ribs: 7-12 prominent warty.
Areoles: 18-52 mm apart.
Radial spines: Curved needle-like brownish, bulbous at the base 5-9 per areole, 25-45 mm;
Central spines: long and divergent 1-5 per areole, 55-95 mm.
Flowers; Purple-red to pink in varying shades, and diurnal. Blooming in spring.
Fruit: Round pale yellow-green or dull reddish, 20-30 mm, pulp white or pale pink. The fruit (especially var. stramineus) are edible. After the spines are removed from the green-brown flesh of the fruit, it can be eaten and tastes similar to, hence the name straswsberry cactus.
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Cultivation and Propagation: Rot easily it is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone) needs a very good drainage to avoid rotting, Keep drier and cool in winter. Need full sun. Very cold resistant It can withstand freezing temperatures but not too much water (resistant to approx -12C or less for short periods of time)
Propagation: Cuttings that are left out to callus off before planting ; Also can be grown from seeds.