Echinocereus Fendleri

Fendler's hedgehog has shorter spines than most other echinocereus species, and its stems are quite compact (at most 7 inches tall, and 3 inches across), reflecting its higher elevation range; in Arizona it grows in locations above 4,000 feet, in the east of the state, from grassland to mountain slopes over 6,500 feet. Stems, which have between eight and 13 ribs, may be solitary, or arranged in open clusters of up to 20.

At each areole is one long, brownish central spine surrounded by four to ten short but thick white radial spines. Radial spines are often somewhat curved, or wavy. The central spine is flattened or angled in cross-section, rather than round. The large, late spring flowers are pink, 2 to 4 inches across; stamens have pale yellow anthers and greenish-yellow filaments, while stigma lobes are green. Fruits are red and spiny, one inch or more in diameter.

Echinocereus fendleri is quite variable in appearance across the wide range of environments and locations where it grows, but the only other similar species for most of this range is echinocereus triglochidiatus, which is easily differentiated, having spines more uniform in length and hue, and red-colored flowers.