Fendler's hedgehog cactus, Fendler needle-spine hedghog, Kuenzler's hedgehog, Kuenzler's cactus
Echinocereus fendleri

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus. It is usually single but can form clumps. The stems are 10-15 cm long and 5-6 cm wide. They are dull or brownish-green. There are 9-12 ribs. The spine spots are 1-1.5 cm apart. There are about 8 spines which radiate out and these are brown and 1-2 cm long. There is one central spine which is larger. The flowers are purplish-violet. They are 8 cm long. The petals have teeth at the edges. The fruit are round and green but become red. They are fleshy and edible.

There are about 60 Echinocereus species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It needs full sunlight. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It suits hardiness zones 6-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten fresh, dried or used as sweetening.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cereus fendleri Engelm.; Echinocereus hempelii Fobe; Echinocereus fendleri subsp. hempelii (Fobe)Blum; Echinocereus rectispinus Peebles; Echinocereus fendleri var. rectispinus (Peebles) N.P. Taylor; Echinocereus kuenzleri Castetter, P. Pierce & F.H. Schwerin; Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri (Castetter, P. Pierce & F.H. Schwerin) L.D. Benson;