Mojave Mound Cactus

Scientific Name: Echinocereus polyacanthus Engelm. in Wisl.
Synonym: Cereus leanus, Echinocereus acifer var. durangensis , Echinocereus durangensis, Echinocereus leanus, Echinocereus leeanus, Echinocereus matthesianus, Echinocereus multicostatus, Echinocereus polyacanthus var. densus , Echinocereus santaritensis, Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. polyacanthus , Echinopsis valida var. densa
Family: Cactaceae

Origin: USA (Arizona, New Mexico), large areas in northwestern Mexico

Growth Habits: Solitary or clumping, forming large clumps, generally less than 50, but occasionally of several hundreds light green stems, each stem up to 12 inches tall (30 cm), 3 inches in diameter (7 cm), 9 to 13 ribs; areoles 0.4 to 0.6 inch apart (1-1.5 cm); 1 to 7 yellowish brown central spines, becoming grey as they age, reaching up to 2 inches long (5 cm); 6 to 17 white or reddish radials, up to 0.8 inch long (2 cm) but often much shorter.

Blooming Habits:
Red or orange flowers with light colored center, 1.2 to 2.8 inches in diameter (3-7 cm), ovary and tube with yellowish spines and hairs.