Virginia Tech Dendrology

Mojave hedgehog cactus Cactaceae Echinocereus triglochidiatus Engelm. symbol: ECTR
Leaf: Reduced to a spine or occasionally completely lacking spines, when present they are up to 1 1/2 inches, displayed in vertical rows along the bark ridges, areole clusters of 8-12 spines, tip covered in pubescence.
Flower: Attractive, scarlet or orange-red with a yellow center, 2 inches across, rounded petals, blooming at night during late spring to early summer, persisting for two days.
Fruit: A cylindrical to oval berry, spiny, 1 to 1 1/2 inches, red, edible.
Bark: A green, leathery thick skin with 5 to 8 prominent vertical ridges.
Form: Short stems 1-6 inches in diameter or in mounds with many individuals, to one foot tall but more commonly to 6 inches, mounds to several feet wide.

Additional Range Information: Echinocereus triglochidiatus is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDAFS FEIS Silvics - USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information