Mexican strawberry, Porcupine hedgehog cactus
Echinocereus stramineus

Family: Cactaceae

What it is like

A cactus which forms clumps. It grows 30-45 cm high and spreads 0.4-2 m wide. The stems are pale green. They are 25 cm long by 8 cm wide at the base. There are 10-13 lumpy ribs with deep furrows. The spine spots are round and small and white. They are about 1.5 cm apart. There are 7-14 spines which radiate out and they are white and 3 cm long. In the centre there are 1-4 spines which are 4-8.5 cm long. The flowers are purple-pink. They are funnel shaped and 6-12 cm long and wide. The fruit are very fleshy and smell and taste like strawberries.

There are about 60 Echinocereus species.

Where it is found

It needs good light. It suits limestone soils. It needs a temperature above 10°C. It suits hardiness zones 8-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are slightly acid.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agostena, Alicoche, Pitaya de agosto, Sanjuanera, Spiny strawberry hedgehog, Straw-coloured hedgehog

Synonyms

Cereus conglomeratus (J. R. Forst.) A. Berger; Cereus stramineus Engelm.; Echinocereus conglomeratus K. Schumann; Echinocereus stramineus (Engelm.) Rumpler; Echinocereus stramineus var. occidentalis N.P.Taylor; Echinocereus stramineus subsp. occidentalis (N.P.Taylor) N.P. Taylor;